Long Island, NY - September 20, 2011 - Long Island Credit Unions, a cooperative group of 13 credit unions, will join together once again to support Long Island's leading hunger relief organizations, Island Harvest and Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Food Bank. This will be the fourth year that the Long Island Credit Unions have conducted an Island-wide food drive and fund-raising campaign during the month of October. In keeping with the long-held mission of credit unions - "people helping people" - donations of food will be collected at each participating credit union branch beginning October 1. Cash contributions will also be welcomed using secure receptacles at each credit union location, or donors may visit www.licreditunions.org for a mail-in address and contact.
The members of Long Island Credit Unions are proud to work in a cooperative campaign to support Island Harvest and Long Island Cares to help feed needy children and adults on Long Island. The credit unions have collected 12,072 pounds of food and donations, amounting more than $177,626 over the past three years.
"Long Island Credit Unions are a valued partner in helping Island Harvest address the critical issue of hunger in our local communities," said Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest. "Their continued generosity has helped make a difference in the lives of over 285,000 Long Islanders - including 110,000 children -who know the insidious effects of hunger first hand."
The following credit unions will be participating this year: Bethpage Federal Credit Union (no in-branch collection), Long Island Community Credit Union, Heart Center Federal Credit Union, Island Federal Credit Union, Long Island Realtors Federal Credit Union, Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union, North Shore LIJ Health System Federal Credit Union, People's Alliance Federal Credit Union, Sperry Federal Credit Union, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Town of Hempstead Employees Federal Credit Union, and Winthrop University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union.
"The poor economy and high cost of living in our region continues to have an impact on individuals and families who are struggling here on Long Island. The Long Island Credit Unions' food drive will once again make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of adults and children who are affected by hunger and food insecurity," said Paule T. Pachter, Executive Director of Long Island Cares.
Food drive donations and funds raised during the campaign will be distributed equally to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares later in the year. Both are well-established 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations that bring food and sustenance to Long Island's neediest.
For more information visit: www.licreditunions.org.
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About Long Island Credit Unions: Credit Unions are celebrating over 100 years in America, dating back to the first charter of St. Mary's Bank in 1908, followed in 1909 by the Massachusetts Credit Union Act, the first state credit union law in the United States. Credit unions are financial cooperatives, based on providing cost-savings to families. Governed by volunteers, not shareholders, credit unions have a mission to serve the underserved. On Long Island, credit unions were first formed in the 1940s.
About Long Island Cares - The Harry Chapin Food Bank:
Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Food Bank: is a leading anti-hunger organization and Long Island's first food bank, serving the hungry on Long Island since 1980. Long Island Cares brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry on Long Island and provides emergency food where and when it is needed, and sponsors programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency. The organization was founded by the late singer/activist Harry Chapin in response to the immediate needs of hungry Long Islanders. It is continued by his wife and partner Sandy Chapin, a dedicated board of directors and talented staff working out of their 35,000 square foot facility in Hauppauge and storefront hunger assistance center in Freeport. Long Island Cares is a member agency of the Food Bank Association of New York State and Feeding America. For more information visit www.licares.org.
About Island Harvest:
Fighting hunger and touching lives, Island Harvest serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplying over 570 community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support to help stem the advancing tide of hunger in our communities. Island Harvest has delivered more than 71 million pounds of food, supplementing nearly 54 million meals, since its inception in 1992. In support of its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, the organization is actively involved in education, outreach, advocacy, job training and hunger awareness programs. Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America. For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org.