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American Financial Services & Clients helping neighbors in need put food on tables
When it comes to taking care of people in need, this time of year calls for all hands on deck. We check in with American Financial Services to find out how they're going the extra mile to help Feed Our Valley.
Tuesday, November 28th 2023, 11:13 PM EST
Updated:

When it comes to taking care of people in need, this time of year calls for all hands on deck.
We check in with American Financial Services to find out how they're going the extra mile to help Feed Our Valley.
For over a decade, American Financial Services has been giving financial advice and they are committed to extending a helping hand to neighbors in need.
For more than a decade American Financial Services in Boardman has made a commitment to helping people struggling to put food on their tables.
After doing some research, they asked Second Harvest Food Bank to set out boxes for food donations at their client appreciation dinner held at the Embassy each October.
"Going hungry just hits a spot with me. It's just sad to think about those kids or families. And it was just an opportunity, and I have a great group of clients and they really embraced it as we continue to grow, and we set a record the last time we had our event. It continues to grow each year, " Tarick Bernat, President and Founder of American Financial Services said.
The donations have grown as their clients grew from 100 to 150, then 300, and now over 450 people.
"The whole hallway is now full of donations and all the boxes are full. We actually have to start putting stuff on the side of the boxes, so it's a good feeling to know we're doing something positive," Jason Bernat, Vice President and co-owner of American Financial Services said.
The company employees donate food, and the company this year and in past years has matched monetary donations by their clients during this dinner.
Second Harvest Food Bank can use each dollar donated to buy $10.00 dollars of food or provide five meals for each dollar donated.
American Financial Services knows meeting one need helps families or people have money to pay for other essential bills during the winter and holidays.
"I think the food bank does a good job in regards to helping out the veterans and those in need this time of year, and it touches my heart,"
Richard Horvath Vice President of American Financial Services said.
At Second Harvest Food Bank some shelves are bare, that's because the food often goes out the door almost as soon as it comes in.
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley distributes about 50,000 pounds of food each day, so that means each donation is important.
The money and food donations stay local in Mahoning, Columbiana, and Trumbull Counties.
"Fourteen-thousand people a month, that are being fed by 163 pantries and meal sites we provide food to," Mike Iberis Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank MV added.
American Financial Services hopes others who can help families and folks who are struggling in our community.