Partner Spotlight: Village Bank

Susan Paley, a lifelong Newton resident herself and the bank’s Vice President of Community Relations since 2008, has served for the last three years on our Advisory Council and can often be found volunteering to assist our clients in the dry goods section on Wednesdays during weekly distribution.

As a member of the Newton Rotary Club, she has also been an important force in encouraging that organization to support the Newton Community freedge.

“My job at The Village Bank is to serve as a liaison with the nonprofit community. It is incredibly rewarding to work with so many organizations that contribute so much to make living in Newton so wonderful,” Susan said.

“I strongly believe that it is personally important to give back to our community and to help provide food security for those most in need is very gratifying.  I am very proud that my bank shares those values.”  

The Newton Food Pantry has been a regular recipient of The Village Bank’s generosity.  In addition to what Susan calls “robust gifts” to support our food purchases, the bank has often provided grants for specific purposes such as enabling us to provide a larger selection of culturally-relevant food and even utensils for many of our clients.

“What impresses me so much about The Newton Food Pantry is the atmosphere of positivity and dignity, as well as the quantity and quality of the food.  It is a real shopping experience, and the element of choice is certainly special.”

“It is wonderful to observe clients when they make their first visit to Newton Food Pantry. Their eyes almost pop out of their heads when they see what’s available to them,” she said. “I recently had the opportunity to take part in the metric gathering project at the freedge and that, too, was an eye-opening and positive experience for me. The recipients I saw were all grateful for whatever help they were able to receive, and were receptive and polite when volunteers came to refill the pantry and fridge, giving them room to unload their cars and load up the pantry. I particularly loved the fact that a couple of people showed up to donate food with their children – teaching kiddos the value and importance of helping our neighbors at a young age is so very important.”

In addition to directing charitable giving at The Village Bank, Susan is also responsible for volunteerism amongst its employees. “More than 90% of employees volunteer in any given year, and there is a very strong core of Village Volunteers that assist on a very regular basis. Our signature blue volunteer T-shirts can be seen at nearly every event and helping out numerous non-profits in the city! In addition, many of our officers serve on the boards of directors for nonprofits including the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, West Suburban Y, Newton Community Pride, Newton Community Farm and Newton Schools Foundation, to name just a few. I personally serve on the boards of Newton Community Development Foundation, Family Access of Newton, Newton Cultural Alliance, Rotary Club of Newton and Historic Newton. This is our commitment to our community and, we believe, is just the right way to do business.”

Susan and her husband, Marty, live in West Newton with their rescue black lab, Phineas.