Education Fund
BankESB donates $10,000 for HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute
BankESB has donated $10,000 to the Holyoke Community College Foundation to help students preparing for careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industry.
Harry Montalvo, BankESB's community development specialist, and Tiffany Raines, assistant vice president of the bank's Holyoke branch, presented a ceremonial check in that amount to HCC president Christina Royal and foundation officials Wed., Sept. 25, at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute.
"This kind of investment helps further the work that we're able to do," said Royal. "We're very grateful for the support of businesses that are interested in investing in our local community and also value education as a key component of what we need to lift up our communities."
The donation will go toward programs, equipment, maintenance, instruction, and student services at the 20,000 square-foot institute, which opened last year at 164 Race St. in downtown Holyoke.
"We're happy to do it," said Raines. "It's an absolutely beautiful facility."
BankESB has been a financial supporter of the college since 2003, contributing over the years to all of the foundation's capital campaigns, as well as being a consistent sponsor of annual fundraising golf tournament. A plaque was mounted behind the reception area at the Culinary Institute in recognition of the bank's latest donation.
"We are very happy to continue our partnership with the college," Montalvo said. "This building is great, excellent, beautiful."
PHOTO by CHRIS YURKO: Amanda Sbriscia, HCC vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation, left; Harry Montalvo, BankESB community development specialist; Tiffany Raines, assistant vice president of the bank's Holyoke branch; HCC president Christina Royal; and John Driscoll, board chair of the HCC Foundation, hold a ceremonial check for $10,000 at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute.
