MANCHESTER, N.H.–Credit unions continue to offer a range of new assistance to their members and communities in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In New Hampshire, Bellwether Community CU recently donated free take-home dinners to local hospitals in the Manchester, Bedford and Nashua area to thank those on the front line for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ready-to-eat meals allowed hospital staff to have dinner prepared for their family when they get home letting them spend more time with their loved ones, the credit union said. Meals were prepared and delivered by Tidewater Catering of Manchester, which has donated the dinner rolls and waters at no cost.
"It was just something we could do to say thank you. We are so grateful for the hospital workers and medical staff who are putting others before themselves during this critical time, said Nathan Saller, president/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union. "In the midst of this crisis, we support hospitals in the communities we serve by delivering these take-home dinners. We wanted to ensure the hospital employees have one less thing to worry about and give them more precious time with their families when they are at home.”
The credit union had more than 100 meals delivered to Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Hospital.
Indiana’s CUs Partner on Eviction/Foreclosure Resource Guide
In Indiana, the state league has participated with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and has joined with other organizations to create an Eviction/Foreclosure Resource Guide designed to inform homeowners and renters on the importance of continuing to make their monthly housing payments, or what to do if they are experiencing a hardship.
The other organizations include the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association, the Indiana Apartment Association and the Indiana Bankers Association.
The effort is part of a broader initiative to make residents of the state aware of some of the broader resources available to them, including Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), which helps homeowners avoid losing their homes to foreclosure.
Mostly For Renters
The information in the new guide is largely directed at renters, but it does encourage people to “check in with your mortgage lender,” if they need assistance making payments.
“We are pleased to have participated in this guide, and to cooperate with other state-level organizations to help consumers get answers to the common questions they have,” said Indiana league President John McKenzie in a statement.
Suncoast CU Contributes 500,000 Meals
In Tampa, Fla., Suncoast Credit Union is contributing 500,000 meals to Feeding Tampa Bay, a donation being matched by the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund, for a total of one-million meals to be offered to those affected by the current COVID-19 crisis.
The credit union said the donation will help Feeding Tampa Bay to fill the gaps in household meals created by the COVID-19 crisis, including children who are out of school with little to no access to school meals or after-school meals, seniors and others who are at greatest risk and cannot safely secure their food needs, and families who are experiencing higher expenses and unemployment or lower wages who would not normally need food services.
“Food and shelter are basic human needs and we want to do what we can to support those affected by COVID-19. This initiative of Feeding Tampa Bay demonstrates how we can harness the best in all of us, even in the hardest of times,” said Suncoast Credit Union’s President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “We have to address these serious needs with a sense of urgency and we are grateful we can help.”
In 2019, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation donated more than $4 million to communities throughout Florida with a lifetime giving of $29 million since the Foundation’s inception in 1990.
In addition, along with this donation to Feeding Tampa Bay, Suncoast Credit Union noted it is also offering a variety of services to best serve its 884,000 members financial needs during these challenging times. The special services include waived fees at non-Suncoast ATMs, CD early withdrawal, credit card skip-a-payment, emergency lifeline loans, and more.
Wayne Westland FCU Launches Relief Fund
In Westland, Mich., Wayne Westland FCU said it has created a $10,000 relief fund to help its community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WWFCU Relief Fund has been established to provide assistance with a one-time, $2,500 grant to four Wayne County households that are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus, the credit union said.
WWFCU said it is soliciting nominations of deserving families and/or individuals in its community. Nominators to make their nominations using an online form at wwfcu.org/relief with nominations open through May 15.
The credit union is not accepting self-nominations.
“The impact of COVID-19 has effected many members of our community,” said WWFCU CEO Thelma Dasho. “Our Relief Fund was created to let Wayne County residents know they’re not alone during this health and economic crisis. WWFCU is here doing all we can to help the people in our beloved community.”