Nearly 50 credit unions and industry organizations across Michigan will support local businesses Tuesday by purchasing lunch at locally owned restaurants as part of the CU Lunch Local event, according to a release from the Michigan Credit Union League.

CU Lunch Local, sponsored by CUSO Michigan CU Capital, aims to raise awareness about the importance of supporting local small businesses across Michigan.

“Christian Financial Credit Union employees and members are 'lunching local' to show our continued support for the small businesses that drive our economy forward,” said Rebekah Johnson, marketing manager at the $262 million CFCU in suburban Roseville.

“Employees at each of our branches have committed to either order in or visit a local restaurant for lunch on Oct. 16. We've armed our staff with a list of local restaurants to support that day, and in addition, the credit union will reimburse employees up to $10 for 'lunching local' and sharing their experience with others,” Johnson said.

CFCU President/CEO Patty Campbell and Bill Beardsley, president/CEO of business lending CUSO Michigan Business Connection, will spend Tuesday's lunch break at the Majestic Café, a landmark restaurant in Detroit that has been a longtime business partner with the credit union.

“CU Lunch Local is a powerful way to illustrate the credit union commitment to small businesses and the real proactive difference credit unions make to the communities they serve,” Beardsley said. “Every dollar spent makes a difference when it goes to local business, and no one knows that better than our credit union community.”

On the other side of the state, the $46 million Muskegon Government Employees FCU of Muskegon is participating in the event by ordering in lunch for employees from two locally owned restaurants in the neighborhoods the credit union serves.

“We have a strong tradition in Muskegon of supporting hometown businesses and buying local as much as we can, so CU Lunch Local is another opportunity for our credit union to showcase our commitment,” said President/CEO Jan Hermann. “We encourage everyone in our community to join us not just today, but every day in doing our part to support local hometown businesses in the Muskegon area.”

The Michigan Credit Union League said it will also participate by buying locally made treats for employees at both of its locations.

League CEO David Adams said, “Michigan credit unions support small businesses in so many ways, including business lending that helps create jobs and turn the state's economy around. This is an opportunity to show everyone just how big the credit union commitment to small business really is.”