June 22, 2020 – BIDDEFORD, ME – Maine Community Bank, through its divisions Biddeford Savings and Mechanics Savings, has pledged to support local small businesses hit hard from the COVID19 pandemic through a gift card campaign.
Beginning Monday, businesses in Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Waterboro, Kennebunk, Auburn, Lewiston, and Brunswick will be handing out $10 gift cards to customers all week. The cards, furnished by the banks, can be used at the businesses (see list below), allowing customers to help local businesses come back from the devastating economic impact of the COVID19 shutdown.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s economy and are extremely important to Maine Community Bank,” Jeanne Hulit, CEO and President of Maine Community Bank explained. “We have been working with them closely to ensure they can remain open. It is important that the community rallies around them to help them get back on their collective feet.”
“Reilly’s Bakery has been a customer of Biddeford Savings for at least three generations. Their consistent generosity with supporting small businesses like ours and their personal relations with us is unfailingly extraordinary,” said Elizabeth Hussey, 4th generation owner of Reilly’s Bakery in Biddeford. “The Share the Kindness campaign is just one shining example of their commitment to the local community. We can’t wait to treat our valued customers with their gift card, courtesy of the bank, giving them an excuse to come by again soon.”
The Biddeford Savings businesses include:
- Reilly’s Bakery, Biddeford
- Firehouse Subs, Biddeford
- Dickinson’s Candy, Old Orchard Beach
- Woody’s Sports Grille, Waterboro
- Ryan’s Corner House, Kennebunk
The Mechanics Savings businesses include:
- The Village Inn, Auburn
- EllieAnna Gift Shop, Lewiston
- The Beacon Pizza, Windham
- Scarlet Begonia’s and Byrne’s Irish Pub, Brunswick.
“We appreciate all the support, it is always great to see a business pay it forward and support each other,” said Patrick Byrnes, general manager of Byrne’s Irish Pub in Brunswick. “Thank you Mechanics Savings.”
“It is our hope that the gift cards will help drive customers in to help increase business and support the community,” Maine Community Bank board member Jeff Worthing said. “We are proud of these businesses, many which have suffered greatly, and want to support them however we can.”
In total, $4,500 in gift cards will be distributed to customers between June 22-26.