Clarien Bank Limited has launched its 10th annual Holiday GiveBack Programme and encouraged everyone to make donations to benefit Meals on Wheels.

According to a press release, the Clarien Foundation will match, to a capped amount, all donations made between November 21 and December 31 through its branches, online or during Gibbons Company’s “Shop & Give Thursday” on December 15.

All funds raised will go directly to the Bermuda Meals on Wheels programme.

Michael DeCouto, chief marketing officer of Clarien Bank, stated: “Holiday GiveBack is a simple and convenient way for people to support an organisation that shares our commitment to the community. Last year Clarien was able to donate $10,000 to Meals on Wheels and have donated more than $70,000 since 2010.

“We consider it a privilege to support Meals on Wheels, and in addition to donations our staff members will again volunteer to help prepare and deliver meals.

“We encourage everyone in the community to celebrate the season of giving and help Meals on Wheels put more on the table for those who need it most.”

For 40 years, Meals on Wheels has been delivering freshly cooked, nourishing lunches island wide to those unable to prepare a proper meal for themselves, such as the sick, elderly and disabled.

It delivers 180 to 200 lunches four days a week as well as about additional 80 frozen meal replacements for Thursdays and weekends. The regular deliveries also provide an important and reassuring daytime check on the welfare of recipients, the press release states.

President of Meals on Wheels, Joe Gibbons, said: “We are delighted that Clarien Bank is continuing its generous support for Meals on Wheels through the Holiday GiveBack Programme.

“Demand for our services increases during the holiday period and the money raised through the GiveBack programme enables us to provide the additional resources required to meet this need.

“We also greatly appreciate the volunteer help of their employees at this busy time of year and the fact that the GiveBack programme provides an easy way for the community to get involved in supporting Meals on Wheels.

“On behalf of Meals on Wheels and the people we serve, I’d like to again thank Clarien Bank for their ongoing commitment to helping us provide such a vital service to those in need.”

Clarien customers, organisations and members of the public can make donations as follows:

• Use one of the Holiday GiveBack no-wait deposit envelopes available at any Clarien Bank branch.

• Make a donation directly to a teller at Clarien Bank Main Branch, 19 Reid Street, Hamilton or Clarien Paget Plaza, 161 South Road, Paget.

• Transfer funds to Clarien’s Holiday GiveBack account (account number: 4010060068)

• Shop at Gibbons Company’s “Shop & Give Thursday” on December 15, 2016. Donate a minimum of $5 and receive 25 per cent off regularly priced merchandise.

All donations for the Clarien Holiday GiveBack Programme must be received by 4pm on

Saturday, December 31.

For additional information, visit www.clarienbank.com/giveback, e-mail

giveback@clarienback.com or call 296.6969.