Unidentified bankers prepare meals as part of the statewide "Bankers Give Back" volunteering drive organized by NH Bankers in October 2021. Photo courtesy of NH Bankers

Twenty New Hampshire banks teamed up to volunteer to make their communities better places in the first-ever statewide volunteer drive organized by the state banking association.

“Our bank members deeply support their communities through continued and reliable support of local non-profits and our communities through hours of volunteerism and financial contributions. Our month of service is a coordinated effort where we’ve asked our members to conduct just one or more of their regularly scheduled community service efforts during the month of October. Our bank members did not disappoint, so we are thrilled to present a snapshot of the banking industry’s time and effort spent on charitable giving to local communities in New Hampshire” NH Bankers President Kristy Merrill said in a statement.

Data provided by NH Bankers shows 901 staff at the 20 banks involved gave 3,534 hours at 133 volunteer events and donated or collected $274,096 donations as part of the “Bankers Give Back” drive.

Volunteer efforts ranged from collecting winter clothing and food pantry donations, meal prep and serve at shelters, walks for cancer to community shred days. Donations collected went towards food pantries, Boys & Girls Clubs, visiting nurses associations, cancer support, housing coalitions and several United Way chapters in the state, among other groups.