School Employees Lorain County Credit Union Provides Backpacks to Children in Need
September 6, 2016
ELYRIA, OH (September 2, 2016) Approximately 312 students in Lorain County are kicking off the school year with a backpack full of new school supplies thanks to School Employees Lorain County Credit Unions Build-A-Backpack charitable loan program. Each loan opened at the credit union during the months of June and July gave backpacks to local children in need.
The number of backpacks donated was dependent on the type of loans members booked. SELCCU donated one backpack on behalf of the member if a personal loan or new credit card was opened, two backpacks for a new or used auto loan, and three backpacks for a home equity loan or mortgage.
SELCCU staff members spent several days in August assembling backpacks and delivering them to public schools in Lorain County based on need and size. "Kids can only start school ready to achieve if they have the necessary supplies to do so," said Neil Sommers, CEO at SELCCU. "Our Build-A-Backpack initiative was a win across the board for Lorain County educators, students, and families. Not only did our members save money on their loans by choosing our not-for-profit credit union, they also helped make this school year more affordable for local families and the teachers who often go into their own pockets to stock their classrooms with supplies."
SELCCU is no stranger to giving back to the schools and communities it serves; the Build-A-Backpack program worked in conjunction with SELCCUs existing Make Money Matter campaign which pledges to save members $500,000 this year in interest and fees through helping members save money on their loans. The credit union also hosts financial literacy events at schools, supports social service agencies through its Care Connection program, and donated $642 in new shoes for back-to-school through its partnership with the Salvation Armys Shoe Voucher program.