News & Events

First State Bank donates $5,000 to community kitchen

Oct 10, 2017

St. Clair Shores, MI (October 10, 2017) – When most people see a need, they ask, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” When Cheryl Becigneul sees a need, she asks, “Why not me?”

Becigneul’s “it might as well be me” attitude spurred her to start Macomb Feeding the Need, a nonprofit community kitchen that serves food and hope to hundreds of homeless and low-income people each week.

“It starts with food, but we want to feed their mind and spirit, too,” says Becigneul, who serves as executive director. “Our ultimate goal is to get people off the street and help them become self-sufficient.”

As part of its centennial celebration, First State Bank is honored to award a $5,000 donation to Macomb Feeding the Need, supporting an organization that does so much to nourish our community.

“Macomb Feeding the Need is an inspiration,” says Gene Lovell, president and CEO of First State Bank. “Cheryl and her team of volunteers do an extraordinary job feeding and supporting our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Becigneul knows what it’s like to be homeless. After her 18-year marriage ended, she and her four children slept in a station wagon for a few weeks. She later befriended a homeless man who was beaten one day for stealing a sandwich. His reason? “I was hungry.”

So Becigneul got busy. When Macomb Feeding the Need started in 2010, it simply served lunch. But the need was too great to stop there. Today, volunteers serve three meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday—continental breakfast, hot lunch at noon, and bagged lunch to go. Meals are served at the Roseville Masonic Temple, 27151 Gratiot Ave.

Macomb Feeding the Need’s mission has expanded far beyond food. The organization also distributes clothing during winter and provides vouchers for use at a local thrift store.

In addition, it partners with a network of community resources to provide homeless clients medical and dental care, emergency financial assistance, job counseling, and life skills. During the organization’s eight-year history, dozens of people who first came in for a meal eventually moved into a job.

“We want to help people become independent, not just feed them,” Becigneul says. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone get their life together and become a productive member of the community.”

Founded in 1917, First State Bank will observe its 100th anniversary in October. Throughout the year, it has been donating $5,000 to local nonprofits to celebrate its centennial. Honorees are nominated by bank employees and evaluated according to community impact.

Macomb Feeding the Need is First State Bank’s sixth $5,000 recipient, joining the Macomb Charitable Foundation, Friends of Foster Kids, KnowResolve, Care House and A Beautiful Me.

“We’re Macomb County’s hometown bank—and have been for a century,” Lovell says. “That longevity comes with a responsibility to support organizations that share our desire to invest in the well-being of our community.”

To learn more about Macomb Feeding the Need or to donate to the organization, please visit www.macombftn.org.

First State Bank is headquartered in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. With 100 years of service and $704 million in assets, First State Bank serves Macomb County with 11 branch offices located in Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Macomb Township, Richmond, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Washington Township and a Loan Center in Clinton Township. For more information, please visit www.fsb.bank or call 866-372-1275.

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