OTIS FCU Commemorates International Credit Union Day with Donations to School Lunch Programs and Heating Assistance Funds
For Immediate Release
November 14, 2019
OTIS FCU Commemorates International Credit Union Day with Donations to School Lunch Programs and Heating Assistance Funds
JAY, Maine— On October 17th, 2019, credit unions in countries all over the world recognized International Credit Union Day, celebrating the not-for-profit cooperative spirit that all credit unions share. This year, OTIS Federal Credit Union chose to commemorate the special day by making donations to area school lunch programs and to local heating assistance funds.
OTIS FCU donated a total of $1,200 to help offset student lunch debt within area schools. Each of the six districts falling within the Credit Union’s field of membership received $200 to pay down past-due meal accounts: RSU #73 (Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls), MSAD #58 (Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong), RSU #9 (Farmington, Wilton, Starks, Industry, Chesterville, New Sharon, Weld, Temple, Vienna and New Vineyard), MSAD #52 (Turner, Leeds, Greene), RSU #38 (Wayne, Readfield, Mt Vernon, and Manchester), and RSU #78 (Dallas Plantation, Magalloway Plantation, Rangeley, Rangeley Plantation and Sandy River Plantation).
“Ending hunger in Maine is the signature social responsibility cause championed by Maine’s credit unions,” said Sarah Hayes, Director of Marketing and Communications at OTIS FCU. “The ‘people helping people’ philosophy that credit unions share isn’t just a tagline. It is a mission, a call to action; one that our institution and other credit unions everywhere strive to exemplify every day. Donating to each of the school lunch programs within our field of membership serves as an additional way for us to combat food insecurity beyond our participation in the Campaign for Ending Hunger, allowing us to make further inroads at the local level. Despite the existence of subsidized lunch programs, there are still many students who unfortunately are falling through the cracks for various reasons. With these donations, we hope to lessen a stressful financial burden on area families, and to provide some relief to those who most need it during an especially expensive time of the year.”
In addition to the lunch program donations, OTIS FCU made donations of $200 to both Rural Community Action Ministry’s Heating Fund and the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area’s heating assistance program via The Very Basics Fund.
Said Kim Turner, President/CEO of OTIS FCU, “International Credit Union Day is a great time to reflect on the cooperative principles that Credit Unions abide by. Concern for Community is one of the most powerful principles because it encompasses not only our membership, but the members of the communities we serve. Food insecurity for all, but especially for children, is real and it isn’t going away. It has to be so hard for parents that don’t know how they will come up with the funds to feed their children, especially during school when they should be thriving, learning as much as they can to set them up for future success. Donating to RCAM and United Way of the Tri-Valley Area was also an easy decision for us as we understand that the cold nights and days are here and will be here over the next few months. This is a time when those of modest means have to sacrifice in other areas just to make sure they have the fuel they need to stay warm during these difficult months.”
Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries to Sarah Hayes at (207) 320-4985 or email SarahH@otisfcu.coop
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; online and mobile 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 $181 million in assets, employing 30 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.
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