ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) -- M&T Bank donated $35,000 to 18 nonprofit organizations during its 10th annual charity luncheon. The company's vice president said the bank has helped support many of these programs for years.

“I think over the last 10 years, we’ve given over $200,000 to local food banks,” said Bob Bilger, vice president of M&T Bank. “M&T allows us to set aside (funds) and try to do what’s right for the communities that we’re in.”

Bilger helped present checks to numerous food banks, including some based in Altoona, Tyrone and Roaring Spring.

“Most of what we do for today is to help feed people that are really in need,” Bigler said. “So these different organizations here are finding it tougher and tougher to raise money and feed the local community. That need is getting bigger and bigger.”

M&T also donated to several backpack programs, including one organization that provides meals to underprivileged elementary schoolers in the Altoona Area School District.

“We at the Mountain Lion Backpack Program rely 100% on community support,” said Amber Smith, the program director for the Mountain Lion Backpack Program. “Organizations like M&T Bank charitable giving means a lot. We feed an average of 1,000 students every weekend.”

Smith said the donations can go a long way.

“It will help us to be able to purchase food from our food partners and be able to send the items home like mac 'n cheese, ramen noodles, canned pasta, oatmeal, cereal cups, different items like that,” Smith said. “That will help provide meals for Saturday and Sunday when they don’t have access to food.”

“Our goal here is just to try and recognize that effort, take some time after the busy holiday season and just truly thank them for what they do in the community,” Bilger said.

“It’s heartwarming to be able to see all of us come together as a community and to be able to support one another,” Smith said.

Smith said the luncheons are also an opportunity for nonprofit representatives to network. She said she spoke to workers from other backpack programs to see how her organization might expand and improve.

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