Exchange Bank donated $1,400 to the Chard Wray Food Pantry through the bank’s C.A.R.E. Fund (Community Action Reaching out to Everyone). The C.A.R.E. Fund is comprised of employee contributions made through payroll deduction, and each year, employees collectively vote on which local organizations will receive support. For 2025, Chard Wray was one of six organizations selected to receive a portion of the more than $8,000 raised.
As part of the donation, Exchange Bank employees had the opportunity to take a behind-the- scenes tour of the pantry led by the director of the Chard Wray Food Pantry Jill Rochon, for employees to learn more about the pantry’s mission and daily operations.
Founded in 1974 by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Chard Wray Food Pantry has served as a vital resource for families across Middle Georgia. The program provides groceries to households once every 30 days, with additional items offered to families with children, such as cereal and Pop-Tarts. The pantry also serves as a partner in Baldwin County’s Blessing Bags program, which provides students with weekend food support.
According to GeorgiaData. org, more than 23% of Baldwin County residents live below the poverty line, and food insecurity continues to be a pressing issue in Middle Georgia.
Exchange Bank encourages community members to consider supporting the Chard Wray Food Pantry in any way they can:
• Financial Donations:
Monetary contributions allow the pantry to purchase food in bulk and fill the most urgent needs.
• Food & Supply Donations: Beyond food, the pantry is always in need of toothbrushes, hygiene products, and grocery bags. Reusable bags are especially important, since many pantry patrons walk to and from the facility and rely on sturdy bags to carry their groceries.
• Volunteering: From stocking shelves to packing bags to unloading food trucks, volunteers are essential to daily operations.
• Community Awareness: If you or someone you know is struggling with food costs, the pantry is a confidential and excellent resource to help supplement household groceries.
“Community banking is about more than financial services — it’s about being a good neighbor and steward of resources,” said Terry Kennedy, SVP and chief Human Resource/ Business Development Officer at Exchange Bank. “We are grateful to our employees for making the C.A.R.E. Fund possible and proud to support an organization that is making such a direct impact on families in our community.”
The Chard Wray Food Pantry is located at 472 Broad St. on the Central State Campus in Milledgeville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 309, Milledgeville, GA 31059. The pantry can be reached at 478-4141126 (main client number) or 478-452-2710 (St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church). — Contributed