Photo Provided Unified Bank partners with the Daily Bread Center of Martins Ferry. Unified team members Michael Goclan, senior commercial banking executive, left, and Stacy Carpino, retail banking executive and area sales manager, right, are shown with Daily Bread Center board member Pat Hartenstein.

MARTINS FERRY — It’s that time of year when most of us look back thankfully on our many blessings and those we are fortunate to help bless.

The Daily Bread Center of Martins Ferry is one of those blessings for many families and seniors living in the Martins Ferry area.

The Daily Bread Center, a 501c3 nonprofit, provides fresh, frozen and packaged food items and serves over 15,000 meals a year, reaching approximately 2,250 households, including seniors and children. But to do this, the center depends on the generosity and support of businesses and leaders in the community. One such community leader is Unified Bank. On a yearly basis, Unified provides the Daily Bread Center with over $14,000.00 in operations funding.

The Daily Bread Center provides food to families in the Martins Ferry City School District attendance area in conjunction with the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

Clients must register with the Daily Bread Center and verify that their income falls within the guidelines provided by the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to receive assistance.

“Through all the years the Daily Bread Center has been helping families and seniors in Martins Ferry, Unified has been there with us,” retired Martins Ferry school teacher and Daily Bread board member Pat Hartenstein said. “We simply couldn’t have helped so many without the continued support of Unified Bank.”

The Daily Bread is not only about serving those in need. It is also about providing opportunities to those who need to serve. According to Hartenstein, the center is always looking for new volunteers. As current members age, it is rapidly becoming necessary for younger people to step up and assist.

The center is looking for volunteers to assist elderly customers in carrying food from the center to their cars two days a week. Those interested in serving can email dailybreadcenter@gmail.com or stop by the center in person.