In late April, PSECU, Pennsylvania’s anytime, anywhere digital credit union, made a $25K donation to Feeding Pennsylvania to support the state’s food banks as they faced increased demand as a result of COVID-19. As part of this “PSECU Chips In” giving campaign, the credit union also reached out to its more than 450,000 members, asking them to consider making personal contributions throughout the month of May to further the fundraising efforts. Contribute they did. As of the end of the month, PSECU’s members donated a total of $44,542 to the cause.
“PSECU is a member-owned financial cooperative that operates under the ‘people helping people’ credit union philosophy. Our members appreciate knowing that their membership at PSECU also helps to support the greater good — the helping of others,” explained PSECU President and CEO George Rudolph. “In addition to providing contributions to valuable community organizations through our pooled resources, we often reach out to our members with appeals of personal charitable giving, like we did through this PSECU Chips In campaign. We’re so proud and grateful that they once again answered our request with such generosity. It truly demonstrates the credit union spirit.”
“Feeding Pennsylvania is incredibly grateful for the tremendous support and generosity of PSECU and their members,” said Feeding Pennsylvania Executive Director Jane Clements-Smith. “Our food banks know all too well that the work that we do has great potential to help, but we cannot make meaningful progress alone. We want to thank PSECU and their members for helping us in our mission to fight hunger and for allowing us to feed those who need us now more than ever.”
Combined with the initial $25K donation made by PSECU on behalf of its members, the campaign fundraising total came out to $69,542. Thanks to Feeding Pennsylvania’s ability to provide 10 meals for every $1 donated, PSECU’s member contribution translates into more than 695,000 meals for those in need.
Feeding Pennsylvania works with nine food bank partners to address food insecurity throughout Pennsylvania, including Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, and Westmoreland County Food Bank, Inc.. Together, this network of food banks works to end hunger in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
PSECU has maintained strong bonds with local and statewide food banks for a number of years. Last year for example, Feeding Pennsylvania was the beneficiary of the third annual PSECU Chips In Golf Outing, which raised $50K, and it has been selected as the beneficiary again for the 2020 event. PSECU has also served as the presenting sponsor of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month Virtual Food drive for multiple years, including the 2019 initiative which provided more than 175,000 meals for those in need, and plans to continue the role again in 2020.
“On behalf of PSECU and our members, I’d like to thank Feeding Pennsylvania and its partner food banks for their collaboration during this campaign, and for all they do throughout the year to help maintain the health and well-being of our statewide communities,” Rudolph added. “We’re glad to be able to ‘chip in’ and contribute to your mission.”
