By Rosanne Schwab
With the last weeks of summer drawing to a close and the school year now upon us, local students are filled with enthusiasm in contemplation of a new academic year of learning. Do you remember getting ready for that first day of school with your new supplies? As exciting as this may seem, it is unfortunate that for many local families, this time of year can be particularly stressful, especially for those who struggle financially to provide the means to purchase their children even the most basic back-to-school supplies. But local organizations, individuals and businesses in our communities have once again stepped up to help alleviate the strain on financially-burdened families – right in our own communities.
To ensure children from low-income households have the tools they need to succeed, the United Way of Northern New Jersey recently collected thousands of new school supplies through their annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive. Peapack-Gladstone Bank volunteers and their children joined this effort to assist in ensuring local needy children start the school year ready to learn. Merging with United Way personnel and local volunteers at the United Methodist Church in Somerville, NJ, Bank employees provided hands-on assistance in organizing and packing donations. Here items from backpacks, lunchboxes, crayons and scissors to clothing and personal care items were painstakingly sorted, boxed and loaded into vehicles for transport to local schools and children in need.
An investment in a child today can make a huge difference in a child’s future. That is why Peapack-Gladstone Bank is committed to supporting education in our nation’s youth – by providing children the encouragement and confidence of knowing that others care.
About Peapack-Gladstone Bank
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a bank holding company with total assets of $1.68 billion as of June 30, 2013. Established in 1921, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is a commercial bank that offers a full range of quality banking products and services to businesses and consumers through its New Jersey locations, an online branch, a wealth management division, and its subsidiary, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware. For additional information about Peapack-Gladstone Bank or to open an account online, visit www.pgbank.com or call 908-234-0700. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
