Credit Union Supports Forgotten Harvest to Feed the Hungry

Livonia, MI How long does it take to peel and repackage 1,700 pounds of frozen bananas into three pound bags? Six members from Co-op Services Credit Unions marketing department reported it takes three hours.� They were among a team of 20 volunteers who completed this unique assignment for Forgotten Harvest--the Detroit area non-profit that rescues surplus, prepared and perishable food and distributes to emergency food providers to help feed the hungry. Once repackaged, the bananas are distributed to local churches, food pantries and other locations to be used for breads, smoothies, pudding and other food preparations. "We learned that seventeen hundred pounds is a lot of bananas. It was a fun task that will help benefit so many people in our community," said Bryan Feldpausch, Co-op Services marketing coordinator.� "I dont think we set a Guinness Book of World Records, though Forgotten Harvest is setting records every day with its outreach." Founded in 1990 to fight hunger and waste, Forgotten Harvest services Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, and is currently the nations largest food rescue organization.� The organization relies almost completely on volunteers, including representatives from local businesses like Co-op Services. "Forgotten Harvests mission supports the credit union philosophy of people helping people," said Lisa Fawcett, vice president of marketing for Co-op Services Credit Union.� "This was our second year to participate, and we look forward to making this an annual event. Headquartered in Livonia, Co-op Services Credit Union has more than 50,000 members and maintains eight full-service branch offices in the Detroit metro area.� Members also have access to more than 3,000 shared branches and 28,000 ATMs nationwide.� For more information about Co-op Services, visit the credit union web site at www.cscu.org or call 800-321-8570.

Photo: Volunteering at Forgotten Harvest are members of Co-op Services Credit Unions marketing department, from left, Jeremy Cybulski, Kathy Hurt, Bryan Feldpausch, Nicole Baker, Beverly Outland and Jennifer Shelton.