Patelco Credit Union Surprises Food Banks & Members with $61,000

DUBLIN, Calif. – Dec 24, 2019 — Patelco Credit Union team members surprised and delighted their members and community food banks throughout Northern California during the week of December 16th distributing $61,000. The bulk of the donations were gifted to food-related organizations struggling to meet the needs of their community during the holiday season. Additionally, Patelco team members distributed nearly 400 gift cards to members facing challenges during this holiday season.

“Patelco team members graciously answered the call to give back to our members,” said Erin Mendez, president and CEO of Patelco. “They were empowered to identify 400 members they felt could use a special touch and a small act of kindness in the form of a gift card. Giving back to our members directly put a spotlight on the thoughtfulness our team brings to work everyday to help our members achieve financial health and wellness, the core mission at Patelco.”

The week-long effort culminated on Friday December 20, when Patelco team members across the region surprised area food relief organizations with donations. Proceeds went to the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Merced County Food Bank, Open Heart Kitchen of Pleasanton, Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen of San Jose and Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.

According to Mary Bigelow at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, “This generous $10,000 donation will allow us to distribute $40,000 in healthy groceries to our community — that's enough food for 20,000 meals.” She went on to say, “An astonishing 1 in 6 Sonoma County residents face food insecurity every day, and we're incredibly grateful to Patelco Credit Union for joining our fight against hunger.”

The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services President/CEO, Blake Young, had similar feelings by saying, “We are incredibly grateful to Patelco Credit Union for their generous donation of $10,000 to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). Their gift will enable us to provide 50,000 meals for families struggling with food insecurity in our community. We appreciate their support and look forward to our continued partnership to deliver healthy and nutritious food to our region.”

"It is such an honor to have Patelco's very generous support - this $5,000 donation will feed thousands of our neighbors in need, who would otherwise go to bed not knowing where their next meal is coming from. For so many of our guests, each day is filled with agonizing decisions: do I pay the rent or get food for my family? Do I pick up that prescription, or buy warm clothes for my children? In an area where extreme wealth exists next to poverty and food insecurity, Patelco enables us to literally take the issue of a hot nutritious meal "off their plate." This is a true blessing and we are honored by their kind consideration of our work to feed the hungry and homeless throughout our communities," said Gisela B. Bushey, CEO, Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen.

“It costs $2 per meal so a $2,500 donation would help provide 1,250 meals,” said Denise Bridges, Development Director, Open Heart Kitchen, discussing the $2,500 Patelco donated to the organization.

About Patelco Credit Union

Pleasanton, Calif.-based Patelco Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union committed to serving the financial health and well being of its membership. With more than 350,000 members primarily in and around northern California, Patelco is committed to fueling hope and opportunity for its members by offering personalized solutions, advice, and expertise that empower them to achieve personal financial freedom. Founded in 1936 with $500 in assets by employees of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, Patelco is in the top one percent of U.S. credit unions with more than $7.3 billion in assets. For more information, visit https://www.patelco.org/.