ALBUQUERQUE, NM (May 25, 2022) — As fires continue to rage across the Land of Enchantment, NM credit unions are building a support network for their members, teams, and communities through food and supply drives, loan extensions, and evacuation assistance. The following credit unions have shared their efforts:
Del Norte Credit Union is providing financial assistance and relief through emergency loans, payment extensions, fee
waivers, and a supply drive. Guadalupe Credit Union helped another area CU evacuate and is offering members emergency relief loans, the option to skip payments for existing loans, and free financial coaching sessions. They are also collecting supplies (nonperishable food items, hygiene items, and paper goods) and monetary donations for evacuation sites.
Kirtland Federal Credit Union has partnered with the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Foundation to distribute monetary donations directly into the hands of veterans displaced by the ongoing wildfires in Northern New Mexico.
Nusenda Credit Union made a $25,000 donation to the NM Fire Relief Emergency Response Fund. The CU and its employees contributed $10,000 to help with the recovery efforts of April’s “Big Hole” fire. Nusenda teams are collecting relief supplies at their Taos and Santa Fe branches for Food Depot and continue to offer assistance via skip -payments, payment extensions, fee waivers, and loan relief.
Rio Grande Credit Union donated $15,000 to the Emergency Action Fund for NM Fire Relief. During the CU’s Montgomery branch opening in early May, Rio Grande raised an additional $2,400 for fire relief efforts. These funds will be used to provide meals, clothing, and other items to people who have short- and long-term recovery needs.
Sandia Area Credit Union is collecting and matching donations (up to $15,000) on behalf of the All Together New Mexico Fund. The grants will be used to provide emergency shelter, food and water distributions, and access to
medical support. Sandia Area also donated $5,000 directly to World Central Kitchen, an organization partnering with local restaurants in affected communities to serve fresh meals to evacuees and first responders battling the blazes .
Sandia Area CU’s Santa Fe branch is accepting donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene products.
Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union donated to the New Mexico Fire Relief Emergency Response Fund, which provides meals, clothing, and other necessities to those affected.
State Employees Credit Union of New Mexico is offering emergency loans and extensions to those impacted by the fires. They are also accepting monetary donations for the “Northern NM Fires” fund and collecting non – perishable food items, bottled water, new and unused blankets, clothing, and hygiene products.
The Credit Union Association of New Mexico is a trade organization that helps advance New Mexico’s credit union success through advocacy, education, and collaboration. CUANM has been helping credit unions help their members since 1958.
Connect with CUANM at www.cuanm.org Facebook @CUANewMexico LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cuanm.
Sara Rochelle
sara@cuanm.org
