Paducah Bank presented a check today to the 4-H Food Backpack Program for $8,200 to support the work of the organization in feeding hungry students in Paducah-McCracken County.

“In 2014, we created a special initiative that works in a partnership with our customers and our commitment to the needs of the community,” said Mardie Herndon, Paducah Bank president. “Our Swipe and Serve project allows our customers to help us help those who are hungry in our region. Every time our customers use their debit cards as a signature-based transaction, the bank is putting aside a contribution to one of four local organizations that help the hungry. In total, we have given over $23,950 to feed hungry students in Paducah and McCracken County through the 4-H.”

“We are extremely appreciative of the continued support from Paducah Bank,” said Robert Tashjian, the McCracken County 4-H Youth Development Agent for the University of Kentucky. “Nearly 400 youth are able to receive food each week during the school year thanks to our generous donors including Paducah Bank. Not only did they provide monetary help, they also provided much needed volunteer hours to fill backpacks.”

“Our customers came through in a big way which allowed us to donate over $8,000 to the 4-H program,” said Mardie Herndon, Paducah Bank president. “Just remember to use your Paducah Bank personal debit card as a signature-based transaction for everything you buy on a daily basis such as groceries, gas, etc. Together we can help end hunger in our community!”

The 4-H Food Backpack program feeds more than 400 elementary through high school students every week in the Paducah City and McCracken County schools.  The group works with family resource centers to identify hungry children in the schools. Student volunteers work with the 4-H project to retrieve and assemble the non-perishable food items for final distribution to each of the city and county school’s hungry youth.

The Paducah/McCracken County Senior Center will be the recipient of the third quarter funds. The organization provides Meals on Wheels delivery for home-bound, senior adults in McCracken County. Last year, the Center delivered 20,747 meals to individuals over 60 years-old who were unable to leave their home and unable to prepare their own meals due to debilitating ailments. Many times, the delivery driver is the only human contact these individuals will have all day.