TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–The number of credit union branches that remain closed in Florida as a result of Hurricane Ian is improving, but the news for many CU employees isn’t as good.
As of Tuesday, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions reported there were approximately 23 branches closed, an improvement over the 40 that were closed one day earlier and more than 70 in the immediate aftermath of Ian.
Meanwhile, the league said more than 100 credit union employees have been relocated and many more are still without power.
Over the last few days, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions reported it has multiple rounds of generator deliveries, along with gasoline and other recovery equipment. As of Wednesday, a fifth convoy was headed to Southwestern and South Central Florida with additional supplies.
Applications for Grants
In addition, the league said its Foundation has received more than 250 grant applications, and it is currently requesting additional financial support to “ensure critical needs are met and resources are provided in a timely manner.”
Donations to the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation can be made here and to the National Credit Union Foundation’s CU Aid fund here.
“In addition to monetary donations, credit unions are in need of basic household items, generators, mobile branches, ATMs, hot spots, tarps, and more,” the league stated.
For Some, ‘Much Longer Journey’
Samantha Beeler, president of the League of Southeastern CUs, and who has been personally handling some of the shopping for relief supplies, told CUToday.info, “It’s better than it was yesterday. I think first and foremost we are pleased to see that more credit unions are getting power back by the day, I should say more branches are getting power back. But those who did receive the brunt of the storm, on the coast, it's going to be a much longer journey back for them.
“We've got over a hundred credit union employees who are still not in their homes, or are in their homes but without electricity. It's going to be weeks before that comes back and in some cases months,” she continued. “So, a lot of people are going to have to rebuild. You can't even think about working at the credit union because many people are just trying to take care of their basic needs for their family. That's where the team (here at the league) is kind of shifting our relief to—to help with basic needs of the most impacted.
“We're headed right now, we're picking up staff, to go down to Walmart. We’re trying to get as much baby formula, diapers and over-the-counter medicine that we can to get out to folks. The grants are now coming in, but those are all the short-term grants. We're seeing a big demand, over 250 current applications, but that's just for the immediate needs,” Beeler said. “There's a lot of long-term rebuilding that needs to happen for credit unions, for the credit union community. So, we need to see donations. We appreciate the partnership with the National Credit Union Foundation tremendously, but anyone in the credit union world considering donating, now is the time.”