Service Credit Union Donates 5,000 "Stay Warm" Bags to Local Nonprofits

PORTSMOUTH, NH [November 23, 2021 ] – With winter weather already setting in, Service Credit Union is once again helping Granite Staters in need stay warm with a state-wide largescale donation of warm clothes and blankets.

Through an effort called “Stay Warm With Service,” the credit union allows local nonprofits to request up to 500 “Stay Warm” bags each filled with a blanket, hat, scarf and gloves to distribute to any individuals who may need them.

“We had a great response to ‘Stay Warm’ last year and knew we needed to keep the effort going. Unfortunately, our local nonprofits still need these types of donations more than ever, but we are ready to pitch in to help them continue doing the great work they do, and help New Hampshire stay warm,” said Jaime Yates, community relations manager at Service Credit Union.

After a successful launch in 2020, all 5,000 available bags were claimed by 33 nonprofit organizations within less than two weeks when the program kicked off in early November 2021.

“Each year, United Way of Greater Nashua puts together gift kits for low-income homebound seniors in our community. We are so appreciative of the Stay Warm program from Service Credit Union. Because of this program last year and this year, we have been able to increase our program from 350 people to 500! We have also been able to build on the warm apparel included in the bag with the funds we save thanks to the generosity of Service Credit Union. We are a collaborative community in Greater Nashua and use these bags to spread cheer from the holidays through Valentine's Day,” said Samantha Cassista, director of corporate partnerships at the United Way of Greater Nashua.

Participating nonprofits, which can be found here, picked up the bags from two locations in New Hampshire the week of November 16, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Seneca Adam Bernard, Associate Executive Director of Gather, which aims to combat food insecurity in the Seacoast of New Hampshire, said, “Gather appreciates the support of Service Credit Union and is grateful to be a beneficiary of the Stay Warm bags.  Many of our members travel to us in Portsmouth or to our Mobile Markets in one of the towns we serve and Gather appreciates that Service CU helps us ensure our members will leave with nutritious food they want to eat as well as something that will keep them warm, too.  There's nothing worse than being hungry and cold, and Service CU helps us put an end to both of those things.”

For more information, visit servicecu.org/staywarm.

About Service Credit Union

A dynamic, member-owned, financial Cooperative, Service Credit Union is dedicated to providing a banking experience that improves our members’ lives and the communities in which they live. Established in 1957, to provide affordable credit to the Pease Air Force Base community, now the largest credit union in New Hampshire, with over $5 billion in assets and 50 branch locations in the New England Region and Germany, we continue to provide a better future to our members all over the world. To learn more about Service Credit Union, please visit www.servicecu.org.