COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.– In response to the announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may not be distributed on Nov. 1, several credit unions have announced support for organizations that address food insecurity.
To help meet the “urgent need,” Ent Credit Union said it is offering $25,000 matching gifts to support emergency fundraising efforts to both Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado and Food Bank of the Rockies.
The $50,000 total will help provide meals to families impacted by the SNAP disruption and ongoing government shutdown, the credit union said.
Ent reported it has also launched an Emergency Assistance Program that also offers eligible members a chance to receive a $250 Visa eGift Card. The opportunity is open to Ent members who certify that they or someone in their household has been directly impacted by the federal government shutdown or the loss/suspension of food or other government benefits, like SNAP.
Members must meet additional eligibility criteria outlined in the official rules.
‘The Credit Union Difference’
“This is part of the credit union difference,” Annie Snead, Ent Credit Union’s executive director of philanthropy and community relations, said in a statement. “We’re people over profit, and hearing about this need from our food bank partners drove us into action. With the SNAP delay and the ongoing government shutdown, many Colorado families are facing increasingly difficult times. We’re proud to be part of our community’s safety net, and we want our members to know they’re not alone.”
Other Assistance
Ent Credit Unions aid it is also offering financial relief options to members impacted by the shutdown, including skip-a-pay and loan deferments.
Over the last 90 days, Ent reported it has processed nearly 2,000 loan deferments and completed 38 loan modifications for members navigating financial hardship.
Maine CU Provides Support
Also providing support, in Maine, Brewer Federal Credit Union made donations to local organizations to support the community, including presenting a $1,000 check to the Brewer Area Food Pantry.
Each year presents a new challenge for community members, and now, it’s the government shutdown, the credit union said, noting it heard from local voicing concerns over where they will go for food support and witnessing the tons of food distributed through the pantry.
“We wanted to get out in front of it, make a cash donation today, and starting today through Nov. 14, we’re going to have boxes for non-perishable drop offs at each of our two locations in Brewer,” said CEO David Defroscia. “In addition to the donations, we have some low-cost loans promotions that we’re doing now as well as some opportunities for members affected to skip payments in the winter without any kind of an adverse credit hit, so really helping out wherever we can and supporting the members that have supported us all these years.”
