A volunteer unloads some of the masks that Together Credit Union donated to medical professionals in the St Louis area.
As the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit consumers, credit unions are doing all they can to lift up their communities with food drives, donations, meal plans, and other means of support.
Here’s are some ways credit unions are serving their communities:
Together Credit Union, St. Louis, has delivered 1,200 N95 particulate respirator masks to the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Taskforce and 100 additional masks to Abbott EMS. Healthcare workers at BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and St. Luke’s Hospital, and Abbott ambulance technicians will benefit from the donation.
Suncoast Credit Union, Tampa, Fla., will contribute 500,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund will match the donation for a total of one million meals for those affected by COVID-19.
East Idaho Credit Union in Idaho Falls is collecting funds for area food banks due a surge in need, says Dan Thurman, president/CEO. “At the same time most are unable to accept canned food donations from the public,” he says. “Credit unions are essential, and our drive-ups remain open, so we have a unique opportunity to step up and help the food banks that are also essential to the needs of so many people.”
YMCA of Greater Whittier (Calif.) Executive Director of Financial Development Adrienne Gibson says the $10,000 donation from the Credit Union of Southern California will help the non-profit organization continue to provide meals for children impacted by the closing of schools due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Credit Union of Southern California in Anaheim donated $10,000 to YMCA of Greater Whittier. The donation will allow the YMCA to provide meals to children who would normally get two meals at school. Because school is not in session, many of these children and families are going without meals.
Royal Credit Union, Eau Claire, Wis., announced a $40,000 initiative to support organizations in need as part of its commitment to creating a positive impact in the communities it serves. The funds will be distributed to area community foundations and nonprofit organizations to ensure these groups receive needed support.
Hoosier Hills Credit Union, Bedford, Ind., has donated $10,000 to area communities to assist with economic hardships due to the COVID-19 virus. “Our mission is to be better for our members by making a positive difference in their lives and the communities we serve,” said Hoosier Hills CEO Travis Markley. “We are committed to living out that mission every day in a number of ways, particularly during these difficult times. Hoosier Hills Credit Union is proud to be able to donate to community organizations and individuals to help them get through the struggles caused by the economic shutdown.”
American Heritage Credit Union, Philadelphia, will be donating 50,000 personal protective equipment facemasks to local hospitals during the month of April. American Heritage counts more than a dozen local hospital networks and healthcare facilities among its 800 workplace partners. American Heritage is also opening several of its locations so that the American Red Cross can host urgent blood drives in April.
Credit Union Magazine’s Fall 2022 issue highlights credit unions’ role in cryptocurrency, the state of digital assets, cannabis banking compliance, the human side of technology implementation, and involving the board in financial discussions.
