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On October 18, credit unions across the state and around the world will celebrate the 70th International Credit Union Day. This year’s nationwide theme, “Find Your Platinum Lining in Credit Unions,” incorporates a reference to this platinum anniversary while highlighting the positive attributes of this cooperative industry. Since 1948, this day has been observed on the third Thursday of October, and is a time when credit unions collectively reflect on the movement’s history, celebrate its achievements, and recognize the experiences shared within our unique network of financial cooperatives.
“Maine credit unions provide significant value to their members and their communities,” shared Tim Brooks, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for the Maine Credit Union League. “International Credit Union Day, and the week surrounding it, is a time to celebrate all the good that credit unions continue do as financial cooperatives. We are proud to be part of an industry that truly lives the philosophy of People Helping People.”
Aligned with the shared belief of coming together to give back to their communities, credit unions across the state collectively participate in the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. Since its inception in 1990, the Campaign has raised over $8 million, with 100% of all funds raised staying in Maine. Maine’s credit unions work closely with Good Shepherd Food Bank, which helps distribute donations where they are most needed across the state, and to food pantries and hunger organizations in their local communities. Statewide initiatives that benefit from the Ending Hunger Campaign include:
- School Backpack and Pantry Program: To date, the Campaign has contributed more than $200,000 to help expand and support the backpack program and school food pantry program in schools across Maine. Since the Campaign’s involvement, these programs have grown from serving a few hundred children per week to thousands of children each week, and now operates in more than 125 schools statewide.
- Food Mobile: In 2005, the Campaign partnered with Good Shepherd Food Bank to provide the initial support to bring the first Food Mobile to Maine. Since then, the Campaign makes annual contributions to continue to support this initiative that delivers food to areas in need, especially during emergencies.
- Hampden Distribution Center Project: In early 2018, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger announced a new five-year, $100,000 commitment to the renovation of the new Good Shepherd Distribution Center in Hampden. As part of the commitment, the Food Packing Area at the facility will be known as the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger Food Packing Area. When complete, the Center will have a capacity to provide more than 10 million meals, making a significant impact to the effort to ensure all Mainers have not only enough food but access to enough food.
- Walking Tour: Since 2002, the Campaign and Brenda Davis, one of the state’s leading ending hunger advocates, have partnered to raise awareness about the issue of hunger by creating and supporting the Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking Tour. Each October and November, the Tour visits communities across Maine and makes a contribution to a food pantry in each community. In 2017, the Tour was the largest ever, with visits to a total of 98 credit union locations in 91 communities and nearly $25,000 raised.
Credit unions celebrate and raise awareness during International Credit Union Day through special events, such as fundraisers, open houses, contests, picnics, and volunteering. Please check with your local credit union branch for their schedule of events celebrating International Credit Union Day.