The Merrimack Valley Food Bank, which serves North Andover, received a share of more than 14,000 pounds of food collected during Verani Realty's 10th annual food drive in September.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty also donated $20,000 to three food banks: the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank and the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, WHAV News reported.

The drive matters locally. The Merrimack Valley Food Bank, based in Lowell, operates through 103 member agencies in 33 communities across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with North Andover among the towns it serves. In fiscal year 2026, the food bank distributed more than 4.1 million pounds of food and provided meals to 52,651 people each month, according to its website.

Throughout September, Verani agents, employees, clients and community members collected nonperishable items at offices and in neighborhoods across the region. Many agents delivered collection bags directly to homes and returned later to pick up donations.

"Seeing more than 14,000 pounds of food donated this year is incredible, and we're grateful to everyone who helped make it possible," Margherita Verani, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty, said in the WHAV report.

Giovanni Verani, the company's president, said the company believes "being part of a community means showing up for it." The annual drive, now in its 10th year, is organized through the company's community outreach program.

Food collected during the September drive went to eight organizations: the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, New Hampshire Food Bank, Alton Food Pantry, SHARE Food Pantry, Upper Valley Haven, Saint Anne Parish Food Pantry, Liberty House and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.