OTIS FCU Donates to Thirteen Local Food Pantries Through Ending Hunger Campaign
For Immediate Release
July 15, 2024
OTIS FCU Donates to Thirteen Local Food Pantries Through Ending Hunger Campaign
JAY, Maine – Over the course of the 2023 calendar year, OTIS Federal Credit Union raised nearly $21,000 for the cause of Ending Hunger. Fundraising events hosted by the Credit Union included a Soup Day, Plant Sale, Yard Sale, and a Painting FUNdraiser.
Additional funds for Ending Hunger were raised through sales of handmade crafts and afghans, candy and snacks, cellphone card holders, sunflowers, and movie passes. In addition, the Credit Union posted special graduate messages on their road sign for a donation of $10.00 per slide. A $5.00 donation was also made from every $25.00 Skip-A-Payment fee assessed on loans.
Due to these fundraising efforts and generous donations from the community, OTIS FCU was able to place in the Top 25 Credit Unions in the state. Those credit unions which place in the Top 25 statewide then receive additional reward grants from the Maine Credit Union League. As a result of these grants, a bonus of $392.16 was added to the amount OTIS FCU raised, bringing the grand total to $20,925.25. This amount was recently distributed to thirteen food pantries within OTIS FCU’s field of membership (which currently includes Franklin County and the towns of Canton, Fayette, Hartford, Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Turner, Vienna, and Wayne). Darice Roy (Vice President) and Ryan Souther (Digital Branch & Facilities Manager) are the Co-Chairs of OTIS FCU’s Ending Hunger Committee and were responsible for distributing the funds raised.
Last year, there was 100% participation of Maine’s credit unions in the Campaign for Ending Hunger, and their collective efforts raised a record amount of $1,221,868.94. Since this Campaign began in 1990, credit unions across the state have raised and distributed over $13.5 million to help end hunger in Maine. All funds raised stay within the credit unions’ respective communities, disbursed to food pantries within their corresponding fields of membership.
If you would like to donate to the Ending Hunger Campaign, donations can be made in person anytime at OTIS FCU, where there are currently handmade items, candy, and books for sale in the lobby. OTIS FCU will also be hosting a Yard Sale for Ending Hunger on Saturday, August 24 from 8:00am-12:30pm in their parking lot at 170 Main Street in Jay; all donations will be accepted and go toward area food pantries. If you are unable to stop by, donations can also be made online at campaignforendinghunger.org.
OTIS FCU wants to extend sincere thanks to their employees, Board members, and generous community members whose efforts have led to the continued success of the Campaign for Ending Hunger.
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Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries to Kimberly Couture, Director of Marketing and Communications, at (207) 320-4985, or email KimberlyC@otisfcu.coop.
About the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger
Participating credit unions raise funds for the Campaign at various times throughout the year. However, the primary period of fundraising is in the fall from September – December.
All money raised is distributed to hunger organizations and food pantries throughout Maine.
One hundred percent of all the money raised by credit unions stays in Maine and goes directly to the cause of ending hunger. All administrative costs are covered by the Maine CU League’s Social Responsibility Committee.
The month of November is designated as ending hunger month in Maine, and Maine’s credit unions are usually involved in a variety of food drives and fundraising activities for ending hunger.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Campaign, please stop by OTIS FCU, visit campaignforendinghunger.org, or mail a check payable to:
Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger
ATTN: 2024 Campaign
PO Box 1236
Portland ME 04104
About OTIS Federal Credit Union
OTIS Federal Credit Union was founded in April of 1954 by eleven local millworkers. Pooling their respective deposits of $5 each, they associated themselves as charter members of OTIS under the provision of the Federal Credit Union Act. At a time in America when obtaining a loan was difficult for the average family, the founders of OTIS sought to form a cooperative, independent financial institution operated and controlled solely by its local membership.
Since its inception, OTIS has been committed not only to providing quality financial products and services to its shareholders, but to giving back to the community. Today, OTIS is a full-service financial center offering real estate, auto, and personal lending; digital banking; a variety of checking, savings, and investment accounts; Visa debit and credit cards; financial planning; and much more. OTIS serves more than 11,000 members and holds over $250 million in assets, employing 26 people from Jay and the surrounding area. The Credit Union is located at 170 Main Street in Jay, Maine. For more information, please visit www.otisfcu.coop or call (207) 897-0900.