Citizens Bank Foundation and the New Hampshire Food Bank hit a home run to “Strike Out Hunger”

Program in partnership with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats raises $25,000 for the food bank during critical summer months

Manchester, N.H.      (August 28, 2008) - Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Food Bank hit a home run with their summer-long partnership with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to “Strike Out Hunger” across the state. Throughout the 2008 Fisher Cats’ baseball season, the Citizens Bank Foundation donated $50 to the food bank for each strikeout recorded by a Fisher Cats pitcher during home games. The Citizens Bank Foundation presented the food bank with a donation of $25,000 at the Fisher Cats’ game against the Binghamton Mets on Wednesday, August 27.

“This program has not only raised much-needed donations for the New Hampshire Food Bank but also generated increased awareness of the strong need this time of year,” said Cathleen A. Schmidt, President, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire. “We want to thank everyone who also brought food items to the games to donate, and a big thanks and congratulations to the Fisher Cats, who were great partners in helping us Strike Out Hunger this season and make an important difference for families in need.”

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Rock 101 hosted food donation drives at several games this season. In exchange for one non-perishable food item fans received two tickets for that game for only $1.01. More than 400 pounds of food items were donated throughout the season.

“The work of the New Hampshire Food Bank is an incredibly vital resource for thousands of New Hampshire residents,” said Rick Brenner, President, New Hampshire Fisher Cats. “The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are committed to the mission of ending hunger in our state. We are grateful to our fans for donating and supporting the food bank’s efforts. We feel fortunate to have partners like Citizens Bank that are willing to support this type of initiative for our community.”

The New Hampshire Food Bank feeds thousands of New Hampshire residents in need each month through a network of nearly 300 certified member agency programs. Last summer, the New Hampshire Food Bank distributed more than one million pounds of food during the summer. Through this summer’s partnership, each strike out provided 200 meals.
 
“We are so grateful to Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for their dedication and generosity to the New Hampshire Food Bank,” said Melanie Gosselin, the agency’s Executive Director. “At a time when the need for food increases, it is great to know that we have the support of such great local businesses and the community.”

About the New Hampshire Food Bank

The New Hampshire Food Bank has been feeding the hungry in the state since 1984.  To date it has grown to more than 300 agencies throughout the state working out of its current location of 18,200 square feet.  Its distribution grew to nearly 4.5 million pounds in 2007 and continues to climb on a daily basis. A program of Catholic Charities, the New Hampshire Food Bank serves as the only food bank in the state.  Its approach to ending hunger includes developing programs such as Operation Frontline, the BackPack Program, Mobile Food Pantry and food distribution to help educate member agencies.

About the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are dedicated to creating happiness by providing the finest entertainment experience for guests of all ages at affordable prices ensuring safety, cleanliness and customer service in an environment that celebrates the New Hampshire way of living.

About the Citizens Bank Foundation

Citizens Bank Foundation is a subsidiary of the Citizens Charitable Foundation, which is a charitable contributions vehicle of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. The foundation’s support is focused on housing, community development and basic human needs.