Peoples Bank, will donate $250,000 to Peoples Bank Foundation Inc. to be used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release, the majority of the funds are expected to be donated to food banks and food pantries in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

“Part of being a true community bank is to provide support to those who need it, especially during difficult times We will do what we can to make sure people in our communities don’t go to bed hungry,” said Chuck Sulerzyski, Peoples president and chief executive officer.

Sulerzyski also said that through payroll deductions, Peoples Bank associates are donating about $10,000 a month to food banks and pantries in the communities served by Peoples Bank.

“I am very proud how our associates came together to help individuals and families in need,” Sulerzyski said.

Staci Matheney, president of Peoples Bank Foundation, said $15,000 was donated by the foundation in April to Marietta Memorial Hospital for COVID-19-related equipment.

Matheny said she expects the majority of the $250,000 to be given to local food banks and pantries by mid-May.

According to Kevin Eagan, Peoples Bank senior vice president of marketing, 16 marketing teams among 75 branches are working together to figure out how the money will be divided to do the most good.

“The Peoples Bank Foundation strongly supports food assistance and hunger awareness initiatives because we know the impact that food insecurity can have on individuals and families in our communities.” said Matheney.

Aside from the $250,000 for food banks, Marietta-based Peoples Bank Foundation with FIS and JobsOhio is donating $100,000 to the ThomaHawk fundraiser to be donated to the Children’s Hunger alliance.

The Children’s Hunger Alliance is a statewide nonprofit in Ohio dedicated to feeding food-insecure children.

“Since the pandemic outbreak, Children’s Hunger Alliance continues to work on filling the gaps in areas where children’s needs are not being met by collaborating with over 100 community partners providing take-away meals to children across Ohio,” according to the press release.

According to Eagan, the $100,000 donation brings the total funds raised by the ThomaHawk fundraiser to $125,000 before the fundraiser’s out-of-pocket match.

The ThomaHawk fundraiser was created by former Cleveland Browns football players Joe Thomas and Andrew Hawkins of the ThomaHawk Show, who, according to the press release from Peoples Bank, are personally contributing a $50,000 match.

The campaign kicked off April 8 on their show, a popular sports podcast throughout Ohio, and has raised $25,000 to date, according to the press release.

This will bring the total of donated funds to the Children’s Hunger Alliance to $175,000.

A check presentation will take place at noon at Frederick’s Wine and Dine restaurant in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, one of the Children’s Hunger Alliance’s partner meal sites across the state serving children grab-and-go meals.

Eagan said that he is excited for the opportunity to give back to the communities of Ohio through the Children’s Hunger Alliance and that Peoples Bank is still looking for partnership opportunities to further help the West Virginia and Kentucky communities they serve.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com