L. I. Credit Unions Work Together to Feed Local Families
January 30, 2009
LI Credit Unions spearhead effort to benefit Island Harvest and Long Island Cares
Long Island Credit Unions recently joined together to support Long Island's leading hunger fighting organizations Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. Pictured (left to right) are: Migdalia Otero, Island Harvest; Tony Russo, Long Island Realtors Federal Credit Union; Rob Suarez and Michelle Dean, Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Robert G. Allen, Teachers Federal Credit Union; Nick Lacetera, Peoples Alliance Federal Credit Union; Tony Sidoti, Island Federal Credit Union; Kristine Lehn, Agency Relations Manager of Long Island Cares; Ed Paternostra, Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union; Paule Pachter, Executive Director of Long Island Cares; Frank Cordano, Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union; Jim Duffett, Sperry Federal Credit Union and Brie Voelker, Winthrop of University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union. Other participating credit unions, not pictured are North Shore LIJ Health System Federal Credit Union and Town of Hempstead Employees Federal Credit Union.
(Long Island, NY January 30, 2009) Long Island Credit Unions, a cooperative group of 12 credit unions, recently joined together to support Long Island's leading hunger fighting organizations Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. The organization's members conducted an Island-wide food drive and fundraising campaign. A total of 4,867 pounds of food was collected and $72,512 was donated by the participating credit unions. The funds were recently presented to representatives of Island Harvest and Long Island Cares at a special gathering. Each charity received a check for $36,275.
"In this critical time of skyrocketing food, energy and housing costs, Long Island Credit Unions are making a tremendous difference in the lives of more than 250,000 Long Islanders who are affected by hunger," said Paule T. Pachter, executive director of Long Island Cares.
In a joint announcement, the Long Island Credit Unions indicated that "we were proud to join with Island Harvest and Long Island Cares in this important effort to help feed children and adults on Long Island. In this first time in our collective history that we worked together to coordinate all the available resources to help alleviate hunger on Long Island."
The participating credit unions are: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Island Federal Credit Union, Long Island Realtors Federal Credit Union, LIJ Employees Federal Credit Union, Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union, North Shore LIJ Health System Federal Credit Union, People's Alliance Federal Credit Union, Sperry Federal Credit Union, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Town of Hempstead Employees Federal Credit Union, and Winthrop University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union.
About Long Island Credit Unions: Credit Unions are celebrating 100 years in America, dating back to the first charter of St. Mary's Bank in 1908, followed in 1909 by the Massachusetts Credit Union Act, the first state credit union law in the United States. Credit unions are financial cooperatives, based on providing cost-savings to families. Governed by volunteers, not shareholders, credit unions have a mission to serve the underserved. On Long Island, credit unions were first formed in the 1940's.
In keeping with the long-held mission of credit unions — "people helping people" — donations of food were collected at each participating credit union headquarters and branches. Cash contributions were also collected using secure receptacles at each credit union location. Credit Union members may continue to make a tax-deductible donation through their accounts at a branch location or visit www.licreditunions.org for a mail in address and contact.
Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, said, "We have seen a significant increase in new families who are forced to turn to food pantries and soup kitchens for their meals. We're facing tough times and we need the support of cooperative groups like Long Island Credit Unions, now more than ever before."
Donations from this food drive and fundraising campaign were distributed equally to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. Each is a well-established 501 c 3 tax-exempt organization bringing food and sustenance to Long Island's neediest.
For more information visit: www.licreditunions.org.
