WICHITA, KS (May 15, 2014) -- There’s an old saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” But this week, in 11 Kansas communities, there was a free lunch (or breakfast, or coffee, etc).
Today (and on Tuesday, May 13), 16 credit unions in 11 Kansas communities surprised consumers by picking up the tab at designated restaurants, or offering customers gift cards to cover their meal. It was all part of a statewide, collaborative event coordinated by the Kansas Credit Union Association as part of the Make a Difference campaign.
The events are designed to illustrate the credit union philosophy of people helping people, and bring awareness of the value credit unions provide to their communities.
“Not only were credit union surprising the people who live in their community, they were also supporting local businesses,” said Susan Dyer, Director of Communications at the Kansas Credit Union Association. “Many of the businesses where the events were held were locally owned establishments.”
Communities and locations:
Tuesday, May 13
- Topeka, Juli’s Coffee & Bistro, 110 SE 8th Street
Thursday, May 15
- Lawrence: Z’s Divine Espresso
- Manhattan: Bluestem Bistro
- Norton: Town & Country Kitchen
- Wichita: Tanya’s Soup Kitchen and Wasabi West
- Marysville: Crome’s Market, Toledo’s Deli, Community Memorial Healthcare Lunchroom, CJ Express
- Ness City: Pizza Plus
- Augusta: Playa Azul
- El Dorado: Susie's Chili Parlor
- Newton: The Breadbasket
- Arkansas City: Sirloin Stockade
Each location had between $750 and $1000 to use to pay for customer’s purchases, or give them a gift card.
Credit union staff received hugs and thank yous and sincere smiles, and one credit union reported gaining three new members from the event.
Representatives from 16 credit unions throughout the state volunteered for the event.
- Ark Valley Credit Union
- Central Star Credit Union
- Cessna Employees Credit Union
- Credit Union of America
- Educational Credit Union
- EquiShare Credit Union
- Kansas State University Federal Credit Union
- Mainstreet Credit Union
- Meritrust Credit Union
- Mid American Credit Union
- New Century Credit Union
- Quest Credit Union
- Sunflower U.P. Federal Credit Union
- United Credit Union
- United Northwest Federal Credit Union
- White Eagle Credit Union
This is the fourth in a series of events. To date, Kansas credit unions have given away $55,500 to consumers through these types of events. Other events included two gas giveaways (held in October 2012 and October 2013), and a similar “It’s On Us” event in May 2013.
ABOUT THE KANSAS CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION
The Kansas Credit Union Association is the trade association for credit unions in Kansas, serving more than 640,000 Kansas consumers. Established in 1934, the Association’s mission remains the same – to assist member credit unions in meeting the needs of their members and potential members to further the success of the credit union movement. Strategies center on this mission: to unify the credit union movement, provide operational assistance to credit unions, promote growth and advocate on behalf of the membership.