FirstMerit Bank Collects 5,499 Pounds of Food During ABE Drive

FirstMerit, in conjunction with Arts, Beats and Eats, collected 5,499 pounds of food for Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan at five participating banking locations in Royal Oak, Troy and Rochester Hills between August 19 and 30.

“I am very proud of the many area residents and FirstMerit employees who donated food in the days leading up to Arts, Beats and Eats,” said Sandy Pierce, vice chairman of FirstMerit Corporation and chairman and CEO of FirstMerit Michigan. “That 2.5 tons of food is the equivalent of 6,599 meals that Gleaners provides for those who aren’t able to feed themselves and their families. The festival not only celebrates the best of what Southeast Michigan has to offer, it also encourages us as individuals to bring out our own best and help those in need.”


FirstMerit continues to be a presenting sponsor of the festival, carrying on a tradition held by Citizens Republic Bank, which FirstMerit acquired earlier this year. In recent years, this partnership has resulted in a grand total of 35,126 pounds of food collected for Gleaners.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is a core value at FirstMerit and has been since 1845,” said Pierce. “We are excited to be doing business in Michigan.”

Source: FirstMerit