Service Credit Union Holds 12th Annual Food Drive for Families
November 15, 2017
PORTSMOUTH, NH. (November 6, 2017) – Service Credit Union launched its 12th annual food drive to run through November 19, 2017. To help the New Hampshire Food Bank feed thousands for the holiday season. Service Credit Union President/CEO David Van Rossum promises a match of $1 for every pound of food donated across its 34 branch locations as well as at special UNH sporting events. According to officials at the food bank, close to 10 percent of adults and 13 percent of children in New Hampshire suffer from food insecurity. The food bank is expected to distribute close to 14 million pounds of food this year to individuals in need. Food bank representatives note that cans of soup or stew are most helpful.
“Our Thanksgiving Food Drive celebrates the credit union philosophy of people helping people, and comes at a time when you want to think of your community and neighbors as celebrating, not struggling.” said Van Rossum. “We hope anyone who visits or even passes one of our branches throughout New Hampshire will consider contributing to our donation boxes, located near each entrance.”
The New Hampshire Food Bank and Service Credit Union will also partner with WOKQ 97.5 F.M. and UNH Athletics to increase donations through special events. The credit union will give a UNH blue and white striped winter scarf to anyone making a donation of nonperishable food items at the November 17th UNH men’s hockey game against Boston College and the November 21st men’s basketball game against American University.
The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, has worked to relieve hunger in the Granite State since 1984. As the state’s only food bank, each year the New Hampshire Food Bank efficiently procures and distributes emergency food to needy people through more than 425 non-profit registered agencies. Agencies include food pantries, neighborhood centers, low-income housing sites, senior nutrition centers, family crisis centers, hospices, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after school programs, and day care centers.
Eileen Groll Liponis took the reins as Director of the Food Bank in January. “We thank Service Credit Union for being a tremendous supporter of the New Hampshire Food Bank for many years, and actively engaging the public to help meet our goals,” she said.