Country Bank is honored to make a real difference within our community with the donation of our former headquarters to the Town Of Ware.

Click here for the full article from Business West.

Country Bank is excited to announce that we are donating our former headquarters building at 75 Main Street to the Town of Ware, as this building will become the new site of the town’s police station if approved during a future town meeting.

Click here for the full article from the Worcester Business Journal.

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Country bank pledges 1 million dollars to The Food Bank of Western Mass and the Worcester County Food Bank, read more https://businesswest.com/blog/country-bank-donates-1-million-to-regional-food-banks/

Country Bank is excited to announced that it has partnered with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce to offer a scholarship program for small businesses within the city.

Shelley Regin, SVP of Marketing and Public Relations at Country Bank, recently met with the President of the Chamber, Tim Murray, to discuss the bank’s commitment to the Chamber and small businesses throughout the region. As a result of this meeting, a new small business membership scholarship program was established.

“Throughout the pandemic, many small businesses have had to find ways to reduce expenses; some of those reductions included canceling their Chamber membership. To align with our ongoing mission to help small businesses thrive, the establishment of this scholarship program will help struggling businesses remain a Chamber member, as well as provide others an opportunity to become new members. As a long-time member of the Chamber, our staff has had the opportunity to benefit from the valuable programs and events that the Chamber offers; we feel this membership provides a vital connection to growing and supporting businesses within the city.” said Shelley Regin.

Scholarship funds will cover membership dues for one full year, provide members-only access to critical resources, programming, and the opportunity to attend various activities through the Chamber. In addition, the selected businesses of the Scholarship will have a chance to promote their company on the Chamber’s Radio Program (WCRN) with Hank Stoltz, and have their organization spotlighted through the social media platforms of both the Chamber and Country Bank.

“We are grateful to Country Bank for helping our Central Massachusetts area businesses at such a critical time. This program will allow the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce to continue to provide services and advocacy to these eligible businesses during this health and economic crisis,” stated Timothy Murray, President and CEO of the Chamber.

Scholarship applications are now being accepted by visiting www.worcesterchamber.org. All entries will be reviewed through a partnership committee consisting of the Chamber and Country Bank staff.

Hear the announcement of the Small Business Membership Scholarship with Shelley Regin of Country Bank and Tim Murray of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce here on Talk of the Commonwealth with Hank Stolz.

ABOUT THE WORCESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England representing more than 2,000 business members from all industries and of all sizes located in a service area of 35 cities and towns and other communities in Central Mass. and beyond. Worcester’s affiliate Chamber partners are Auburn, Blackstone Valley, Central Mass. South, Wachusett Area, and Webster Dudley Oxford. For more information, visit www.worcesterchamber.org.

Paul Scully says local philanthropy is baked into the DNA of this region’s financial institutions.

“Banks have always been great about supporting communities. And we are fairly philanthropic,” Country Bank’s president and CEO added, noting that the bank gave $1.3 million to local nonprofits last year, touching about 400 different organizations in some way. Read More.

By Diane McLaughlin | Banker & Tradesman Staff | Jan 10, 2021

When Country Bank President and CEO Paul Scully looks out his living room window in downtown Worcester, he can see the Worcester Red Sox’s new home of Polar Park. The ballpark includes a blue “Worcester Wall” in right field, reminiscent of Fenway Park’s Green Monster, and above the stands is a 56-foot sign for Country Bank…read more

Country Bank donated over $130,000 to local food pantries throughout the year to assist with supplying food to its communities. The Greater Boston Food Bank recently reported that food insecurities in Massachusetts reached an all-time high in November. The state has experienced a 59% increase since 2018, representing more than 1 million people in need of food assistance. Most people are using food pantries for the first time. Food insecurity is projected to increase to 81% for children, making Massachusetts the second-highest percentage change in the country

As part of Country Bank’s “Season of Giving Campaign,” it donated additional funds to the Food Bank of Western Mass. and the Worcester County Food Bank. The donation was to honor its banking customers and partners in place of traditional holiday gifts. “This was such a great idea and so wonderful to help others at this difficult time,” stated Therese Rakouskas, owner of Five Star Gardens in Palmer.

“We’re so grateful to Country Bank for its social investment of $20,000 in The Food Bank’s mission to feed our neighbors in need at this critical time. With this support, we’ll be able to provide 40,000 meals to households struggling to make ends meet and put healthy food on the table. For every dollar donated, we provide the equivalent of four meals,” stated Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

“The pandemic has undoubtedly placed a strain on our local food pantries.  As a community partner, we are fully committed to helping those in need throughout this pandemic,” stated Jodie Gerulaitis, Vice President, Community Relations at Country Bank.

To learn more about how you can help or if you need assistance, please visit www.foodbankwma.org, https://foodbank.org/ or www.feedingamerica.org.