For more than two decades, Brentwood Bank and South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) have worked side by side to strengthen communities across the South Hills. What began as a simple conversation between two community-minded leaders has grown into a partnership built on trust, service, and a shared belief that neighbors should help neighbors.
When SHIM Executive Director Jim Guffey first connected with Brentwood Bank more than 20 years ago, he introduced himself to SVP, Commercial Banking Officer Joe Verduci, then a branch president at the bank, and explored the possibility of working together. At the time, neither could have imagined how deeply connected their organizations would become.
“It started with food donation boxes in our branches,” Joe recalls. “Then it became food drives, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and whatever else SHIM needed. We just kept finding ways to help.”
Over the years, Brentwood Bank employees have donated countless hours to SHIM initiatives. They’ve hauled mulch and cleared debris to help rebuild SHIM’s community garden, participated in food drives, and volunteered at events throughout the year. The commitment has never been mandated by management. It comes from employees who genuinely want to make a difference.
“We never have a shortage of people who raise their hands to volunteer,” says Joe. “People want to spend time helping here.”
Growing Together
As SHIM expanded its reach and services, Brentwood Bank remained a trusted partner. Joe remembers SHIM’s earlier days when the organization operated from its former location. As programs expanded, SHIM outgrew the space and found its new home on South Park Rd.
“That move was a major milestone,” he says. “It gave SHIM the room and resources to serve more people.”
The relationship has grown beyond volunteerism and financial support. Throughout the years, Jim has often sought Joe’s perspective on important decisions, valuing the expertise and community connections Brentwood Bank brings to the table.
“It’s become much more than just sponsorships,” Joe explains. “It’s a partnership.”
Seeing Need in Our Own Backyard
One of the most powerful aspects of Brentwood Bank’s relationship with SHIM has been witnessing firsthand the realities facing many local families. For Vice President of Marketing & Communications Dave Robinson, witnessing SHIM’s food distributions has been eye-opening.
“When you see dozens of cars lined up waiting for food, it really hits you,” he says. “You don’t always realize how much need exists right here in our own backyard until you see it firsthand.”
SHIM’s ability to address food insecurity while providing a broad range of supportive services is one of the reasons Brentwood Bank continues to invest in the organization’s mission. Through his volunteer work with 412 Food Rescue, Dave has also seen SHIM’s unique ability to ensure donated food reaches people who need it most.
“I know that if food comes to SHIM, it will be used,” he says. “It’s reassuring to know there’s a place that can serve the community in that capacity.”
Brentwood Bank leaders are especially inspired by SHIM’s work supporting the region’s Bhutanese and Nepali families.
“I didn’t realize how large that community was until I connected with SHIM,” Dave says. “These are people who have been displaced and are building lives in a completely new environment. SHIM plays a critical role in helping them succeed.”
Why Community Partnerships Matter
Supporting organizations like SHIM aligns naturally with Brentwood Bank’s broader commitment to community engagement. The bank supports a variety of organizations focused on addressing food insecurity, supporting women and children, caring for animals, and strengthening local neighborhoods.
Rather than dictating which causes employees should support, Brentwood Bank encourages staff members to become involved in causes they care about.
“It’s employee-driven and corporate-supported,” Joe says. “We listen to what matters to our employees and find ways to support those passions.”
The bank’s leadership believes that thriving businesses depend on thriving communities.
Looking Ahead
After more than 20 years of partnership, Brentwood Bank hopes its relationship with SHIM continues to grow. Bank leaders see opportunities to collaborate in areas such as financial literacy and fraud awareness, helping community members build financial confidence and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams.
“We’d love to contribute more—more financially, more volunteers, more projects, more time,” Joe says.
At the same time, Brentwood Bank leaders believe there is still work to do in raising awareness about SHIM’s full range of services.
“Most people know about the food pantry,” Dave says. “What they may not realize is just how much SHIM does beyond that. The organization touches so many lives throughout our community.”
A Shared Commitment
When asked to describe SHIM’s impact in just a few words, Brentwood Bank’s leaders offer a simple but powerful answer:
“Hope. Stability. Community. Security.”
Those words reflect why the partnership has endured for more than two decades.
“The reason we support SHIM is because we’re serving the same communities,” Joe says. “We’re in each other’s backyards. We know the work SHIM does is high quality, effective, and impactful. We know that every dollar and every volunteer hour is put to good use.”
For Brentwood Bank, supporting SHIM is not about recognition. It’s about helping a trusted community partner fulfill its mission.
Interested in connecting your business to serving neighbors with SHIM? Check out this flier or contact Rachel at rwhite@shimcares.org.
