Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation Awards More than $75K to Local Charities in 2017

Basking Ridge, N.J. – Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Affinity Federal Credit Union, announced today that its Grant Committee approved more than $75,000 worth of funding for local, grassroots charity organizations across the state of New Jersey in 2017.

“The commitment from our Foundation, employees, board of directors and members to support our community connected never ceases to amaze me,” said John T. Fenton, president and CEO of Affinity Federal Credit Union. “I’m proud of our institution’s contributions to each of these organizations’ important missions, and look forward to expanding our efforts even more in the year ahead. To help us do so, our recent merger with NEA Federal Credit Union moves us beyond New Jersey into Connecticut and New York, and we cannot wait to contribute to those communities, as well.”

The following charities received grants from the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation:

• $7,500 to Community Hope in Parsippany to support their Hope for Veterans® Program, which rescues veterans and disabled individuals from homelessness and poverty. This grant will also help sustain existing programs that provide shelter, food, support services and connect veterans to health and mental health services.
• $6,000 to the Midland Foundation in North Branch to provide continued support for the Midland School and Midland Adult Services.
• $5,000 to:
  • Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick to support a variety of programs, including their Community Soup Kitchen, Promise Clinic, Code Blue, Promise Culinary School, Promise Catering, Promise Garden, and Homeless Empower Action Response Team.
  • Empower Family Success Center in Somerville to support Family Fun Nights, workshops and programs in Somerset County.
  • HomeSharing, Inc. in Bridgewater to support the shared affordable housing program in central and northern New Jersey, which allows homeowners to remain in their homes, while providing affordable renting options to those searching for a home.
  • Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains to help purchase healthy, fresh produce for its clients, including low-sodium and low-sugar items, specialty and gluten-free foods. The availability of fresh produce will help clients take control of diet-related health illnesses, improve nutritional balance and create healthier lifestyles.
  • Lunch Break in Red Bank to support their feeding programs, purchase food and avoid shortages, helping its mission to alleviate hunger and lead those they serve to healthier lifestyles and self-sufficiency.
  • New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation in Holmdel to support two scholarships in its annual Scholarship Program, which helps high school students further their education either at a college, university or trade/technical school.
  • The Somerset County YMCA, Basking Ridge to provide financial assistance for economically disadvantaged individuals and families who could not otherwise support the cost of Y child care, summer camp, membership or programs.
• $3,500 to the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center in Raritan for pre-purchase programs that assist individuals and families on their path to homeownership, and its Post-Purchase Program that provides counseling to current homeowners.
• $3,000 to Visions and Pathways in Bridgewater to support the Prosperity Independent-Living Skills program, which provides independent-living skills training, educational support, career counseling and mentoring to vulnerable youth.
• $2,500 to:
  • Adult Day Center in Bridgewater to support its services for all clients, regardless of severity of illness or financial limitations. This grant also helps identify and implement new programs for the growing population of younger clients with Alzheimer’s, while prior funding has allowed expansion of therapeutic programs.
  • America’s Grow-a-Row in Pittstown to support hunger relief efforts by providing fresh, healthy produce to our communities in need across New Jersey and teaching the benefits of healthy eating to all ages.
  • Jewish Relief Agency in Morristown to purchase necessary food necessary to fill monthly food relief boxes and meet the increasing requests for help through its Food Distribution program.
  • New Jersey Foundation for Aging in Trenton to provide general operating support, as they serve more than 500,000 residents annually across New Jersey.
  • The Somerset Health Care Foundation in Somerville for continued support to its Medication Assistance Program, where patients work with a registered nurse to better understand their medications and manage their chronic diseases.
  • The Summit Area YMCA in Summit to support its Family Backpack Program, which helps 140 children who do not have access to meals on weekends.
• $1,000 to:
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Jersey in Mountain Lakes to provide general operating support to help sustain their efforts in Northern New Jersey.
  • The Elle Foundation in Bridgewater to support second wishes of children battling a recurrence of cancer.
  • Family Promise of Hunterdon County in Flemington to support the only homeless shelter in Hunterdon County, providing home-cooked meals, security, respect and companionship for homeless families and individuals.
  • Preschool Advantage in Morristown to partially fund tuition for economically-disadvantaged preschool students during the 2017-2018 school year.
  • Visions and Pathways in Bridgewater to cover the cost of food during Affinity’s on-site financial education classes.

In addition to individual grants, the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation has multi-year commitments to the following organizations:

• $15,000 over three years to Raritan Valley Community College to establish, support and maintain the Affinity Federal Credit Union Scholarship.
• $50,000 over three years to St. Peter’s University Hospital to support the Simulation Center for Inter-Professional Learning.

For additional information on the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation, please visit www.affinityfgives.org or contact Lisa Aldape at laldape@affinityfcu.com.

About the Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation
The Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Affinity Federal Credit Union and its members. Together, we leverage our contributions to make impactful investments in local, grassroots charitable organizations, with a special focus on improving the financial lives of our members, friends and neighbors in the communities where we live, work, worship and attend school. Along with our volunteer efforts, together we are working to "Create Something Better." For more information, please follow us on Facebook (AffinityGives), Instagram (AffinityFCUfdn) and Twitter (@AffinityFCUfdn).

About Affinity Federal Credit Union 

When you become a member of Affinity Federal Credit Union, you belong to something better – a community. With over 20 branches, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly serving the tri-state area. Affinity has more than 140,000 active members and assets approximating $2.8 billion. With thousands of businesses, associations, clubs and individuals that comprise the Affinity family, we are truly a community connected. Affinity members have access to a network of more than 5,000-shared branches and nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. As a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution federally insured by NCUA, Affinity offers products and services designed to fit member needs, all while offering better and lower fees than most banks. From consumer and business banking services that include a full suite of deposit products, mobile and online banking, to auto, real estate, education and personal loans, Affinity has the right tools for your financial success.  For more information, please visit affinityfcu.com and follow us on Facebook (AffinityFCU), Instagram (AffinityFCU) and Twitter (@AffinityFCU).