TAMPA, Fla.– Suncoast Credit Union said it plans to donate $550,000 to hunger and mental health organizations throughout Florida that have seen increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation is the second of its kind this year for Suncoast, following its $1 million donation to hunger, healthcare, and education organizations for COVID-19 relief efforts in May.
Organizations that will benefit from the latest round of funding include Meals of Hopes, United Food Bank of Plant City and the Harry Chapin Food Bank, all three of which have seen a 50% increase in demand this year. Suncoast said it donated $385,000 to food organizations to combat the needs.
“These funds will allow the organizations to purchase food, help reduce operational costs, support in-school programs such as hot breakfast and lunches, weekend meals, and fill emergency food pantries,” the credit union said.
One Overlooked Need
Suncoast added that while often overlooked, mental health has been significantly impacted by COVID-19, and as a result it is contributing $165,000 to 11 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates throughout Florida.
The credit union pointed to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that COVID-19 can lead to fear, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. Social distancing can make people feel isolated and lonely, adding to the problem.
“COVID-19 has had serious implications on mental health throughout our nation, with research showing impact on individuals and relationships. We feel a moral obligation to support this serious issue,” said Suncoast Credit Union President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “This year has brought real struggles, challenges, and loss for so many, and we are committed to lifting our communities up and providing support for those who need it.”
According to the $12.4-billionSuncoast, NAMI affiliates throughout Florida have seen an increase in requests for all services and resources – for individuals, families, businesses and community partners. NAMI Pasco (County) has received four times the number of calls and 10 times more emails this year compared to 2019.
‘History Will Tell’
"History will tell the story of COVID-19 and our response to it - and that thought was prominent when our team gathered to discuss what we could do as an organization committed to the communities we serve,” said Johnson. “What side would we fall on and what were the realities of the unknown we wondered as we watched members lose jobs, struggle with hunger or food insecurity and become overnight teachers, nurses and caregivers of varying degrees. As a large employer and one who has achieved success in large part due to hard working, industrious and caring employees, to do nothing at such a devastating time was incongruent with who we say we are and who we work hard to be. And so after careful study of the research we decided to focus on primary areas of need including hunger, education and healthcare and with the latest donation, mental health.”
Suncoast reported its employees have provided more than 43,000 hours of volunteer community work since January 2019.