Credit Unions Support Essential Needs for Essential Workers
Recent community support efforts include deliveries of masks and food to first responders and caregivers.
Mario Mejia, vice president of delivery channels for the $154 million, Alexandria, Va.-based Democracy Federal Credit Union delivers masks to Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, Md. The credit union donated 400 masks to three area hospitals, 1,200 in total. Democracy recently launched an initiative to support its communities as part of its COVID-19 Community Give Back Program. Donations from the program will help local communities receive support to help them combat the global crisis.
Jim Mears (top left), president/CEO of the $1.7 billion BayPort Credit Union in Newport News, Va., presents a check for $150,000 to five local organizations helping Virginia’s Hampton Roads community cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. BayPort selected the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, Riverside Health System and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to receive support as part of its efforts in servicing the community during the pandemic.
On April 22, 2020, Keith Sultemeier, president/CEO of the $4.4 billion Kinecta Federal Credit Union in Manhattan Beach, Calif., along with several employees from the credit union, serve free meals to more than 100 first responders in Manhattan Beach and surrounding areas.
Hospital staff at Providence Hospital facilities throughout Oregon received a welcome surprise when the $140 million Providence Federal Credit Union in Portland, Ore., sponsored the delivery of free snack bags to thousands of caregivers over several recent weeks. The sponsorship made it possible for the Providence Nutrition Departments at each location to order, package and deliver 677 snack bags reaching approximately 6,925 hospital staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $544 million Peach State Federal Credit Union in Lawrenceville, Ga., donates $25,000 to local food banks to assist with the increased need brought on due to the coronavirus pandemic. The credit union has been making quarterly donations to food banks in north Georgia and southwestern South Carolina since 2014.
The $2.9 billion First Community Credit Union in Chesterfield, Mo., supports local food trucks and first responders during COVID-19. As an essential business, First Community has been working with local establishments to provide meals for their hard working staff, and found food trucks to be a great addition to its efforts. They operate with high food safety standards on a regular basis and are able to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Employees were able to gather outside, spaced apart, while waiting for food orders. First Community also treated area first responders and neighboring essential businesses to lunch.
Please send your Community news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.