HAUPPAUGUE, N.Y.–Credit unions continue to provide a wide variety of community and member support during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Long Island, N.Y., Teachers Federal Credit Union reported it is providing assistance to both the community and its members, including donating more than $40,000 to date to groups focused on keeping the local economy in motion and supporting local healthcare workers.
Among its efforts:
- Pay it Forward Employee Program. Teachers FCU said it asked employees to share local businesses that have provided great services, comfort and memories to them over the years, and then provided more than $1,000 in gift cards to employees for use at their favorite establishments as a way to help the business now and/or once they re-open. In addition, TFCU said it will be using its social channels to highlight a few of the businesses that were mentioned in order to amplify their awareness and help drive awareness at this crucial time.
- Support for downtown businesses in Patchogue, Bayshore, Babylon, Port Jefferson and Stony Brook. The credit union noted downtown Patchogue restaurant owners established a fund that provides meals to local hospital employees and simultaneously provides work for restaurant staff and employees. Teachers’ Main Street branch in Patchogue is neighbor to a number of local and donated $5,000 to the fund as support until employees and members are able to visit these businesses once again.
- $5,000 donations were also made to the Chambers of Commerce of Bayshore, Babylon and Port Jefferson
- A $5,000 donation was also made support of the Stony Brook Village & Stony Brook University Hospital Healthcare Meal Program, which works with Stony Brook Village restaurant partners to provide and deliver meals to near 7,000 hospital employees on the front lines at Stony Brook University Hospital.
- $5,000 donation to the Stony Brook Village/Stony Brook University Hospital Healthcare Meal Program benefitting the extraordinary work and sacrifices of local nurses, doctors and healthcare personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. “This initiative also provided employment and work for local restaurants such as Three Village Inn/Lessing’s, Fratelli’s, Crazy Beans and Sweet Mama’s who have delivered over 6,000 meals to these dedicated heroes so they can literally have that meal, on the go,” the credit union said.
- Good Samaritan Hospital (Lindenhurst). Working with Lindenhurst Diner, Teachers FCU covered the costs of preparation and delivery of 50 meals to the hospital’s ER COVID-19 Units A&B.
- Ronald McDonald House. Immediate donation of $5,000 to provide 420 meals for the Ronald McDonald House families that currently have children in treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities.
Mountain America Donates Respirator Masks
In Salt Lake City, Mountain America Credit Union donated 2,500 N-95 respirator masks from its emergency supplies to the Utah Division of Emergency Management to local medical facilities. In addition, Mountain America partnered with several of its business members to provide nearly 500 meals to frontline workers at hospitals, health departments, clinics, and testing centers in Idaho and Utah.
Nussle Talks PPP During CBS Interview
In Washington, CUNA CEO Jim Nussle appeared on ‘Debriefing the COVID-19 Briefing’ (extended version on ‘The Takeout’) with CBS Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett.
During the interview Nussle spoke about problems with PPP and how credit unions are working to serve smaller businesses. Garrett also spoke to Nussle’s personal experience as the former chairman of the House Budget Committee in the aftermath of 9/11 when Nussle represented Iowa in Congress.