ALBANY, N.Y.–In their first joint venture since announcing plans to merge, SEFCU and CAP COM employees distributed more than $350,000 to nearly 50 food pantries and rescue missions in the Capital Region, and the Binghamton, Buffalo, and Syracuse areas.
SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana, CAP COM President and CEO Chris McKenna, and employees from both organizations distributed more than $350,000 to nearly 50 food pantries and rescue missions in the Capital Region, and the Binghamton, Buffalo, and Syracuse areas.
SEFCU has been making the donations to pantries and shelters since 2010 as part of its year-round commitment to fighting hunger through financial support for local nonprofits and the “funding of solutions that offer greater access to fresh, healthy food for people in need,” the credit unions said in a statement, adding, “With CAP COM joining the effort, this year even more nonprofits are benefitting.
“We are both products of the credit union movement which is people helping people, and that’s exactly what we are doing. We know that’s our purpose. We’ve been doing it individually. When we do it as a combined entity, there will be no stopping us,” said SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana. “When you see a food pantry where there is literally nothing on the shelf, you can’t help but be moved by it. To be able to lead an organization where that is a supported purpose, where that gets people out of bed in the morning – that’s why I do what I do.”
Along with helping food pantries stock shelves, these donations will help local nonprofits provide the services necessary to feed families and individuals.”
‘Such a Crisis’
Added CAP COM President and CEO Chris McKenna, “Food insecurity is such a crisis and sometimes we forget about the choices that people have to make. People have to choose between eating and paying bills, and that’s a choice that nobody should have to make. Nobody should have to go hungry at night. No student should have to go to school in the morning without being fed. When I got involved in the CAP COM Cares Foundation or partnering with SEFCU and their foundation, it was a game changer. It’s a game changer for the people that you help, but just as importantly, it’s a game-changer for people that are engaged.”
According to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York for every dollar donated it is able to provide four meals, meaning the CU donation to RFBNENY will provide for 40,000 meals.
“The number of food insecure folks in our region is 140,000, so this will have a serious difference on their lives,” said Regional Food Bank CEO Molly Nicol. “The Regional Food Bank can’t do this alone. We can’t do this without our partners, like SEFCU and CAP COM.