Send hunger packing: Kitsap Credit Union & The KCUCares Foundation donates $66,000 to 11 local Backpack feeding programs
BREMERTON, WASH. (October 17, 2023) — Kitsap Credit Union presented check donations totaling $66,000 to 11 local Backpack for Kids organizations from Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason and Pierce Counties of Washington State at its Send Hunger Packing event.
“Affording food is a growing challenge during these times for families experiencing food insecurity,” said Kitsap Credit Union CEO Shawn Gilfedder. “Backpack feeding programs have been impacted by inflation as well. These organizations cannot run on donations alone and must purchase large quantities of food and are experiencing a significant increase in food bills.”
Since 2019, Kitsap Credit Union has donated over $500,000 to Foodbank and Backpack programs.
They continued the Kitsap Credit Union mission at their Send Hunger Packing event by donating $66,000 to local Backpack Feeding Programs. With $4 being the average meal cost for grades K-5 in Washington State, their donation for this event alone will provide 16,500 meals.
Amidst inflation and supply chain shortages, too many households with children struggle to afford food. The Backpack for Kids programs have a direct positive impact on these families in need.
“As an organization, we are committed to continue to do what we can to support their efforts,” said Gilfedder. “Together, we can help our neighbors combat hunger.”
- Backpacks for Kids: Teri Goodwin with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Bremerton Backpack Brigade: Sandy O’Hearn with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- North Mason Coalition of Churches and Community: Francine McKinley with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Chimacum: Susan Mahler with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Central Kitsap Food Backpacks 4 Kids: Carol Ungren with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Fishline: Charlie Thompson with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Food Backpacks 4 Kids: Zaida Woodworth with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Port Townsend Kiwanis at Jefferson County YMCA: Steve Taylor with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- Parkway Community Services: Randy McElliot with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- ShareNet: Rita Nicholson with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
- United Way of Pierce County: Mike Goodell, Sarah Lidren with Shawn Gilfedder, President & CEO Kitsap Credit Union
For more information on the KCUCares program, or to schedule a phone interview with Kitsap Credit Union CEO Shawn Gilfedder please contact
Melisa Tropeano at melisa@mtlcommunications.com or 201-572-1808.
About Kitsap Credit Union
At Kitsap Credit Union, we believe in powering life’s opportunities. We’re deeply committed to our members’ financial wellbeing and the prosperity and quality of life in the communities where we live and serve. As a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative, we put peoples’ needs first. Sure, we offer all the convenient ways to access, transfer, and borrow funds, but our success is built on trust-based relationships and personalized service. There’s no “us” and “them” here. We’re all members. Learn more at kitsapcu.org.
