Members 1st Federal Credit Union is making donations to food banks in the 11 counties it serves, in response to the continuing federal government shutdown.
The credit union, which has its headquarters in Cumberland County, has announced donations of $2,500 to one local food bank in each county it serves, totaling $27,500 in direct community support.
Helping Harvest in Berks County is one of the recipients of a $2,500 donation from Members 1st, according to a press release.
The contributions are aimed at helping local food banks so they can continue serving families that may be facing disruptions in access to essential food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP.
“Supporting our members and communities is about more than just financial services. It is our responsibility to help meet their needs in every way we can,” Sara Firestone, vice president of community and public relations at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, said in a statement.
“When SNAP benefits are delayed, children, families, seniors and veterans may not know where their next meal will come from. By supporting these local food banks, we are helping make sure everyone in our communities has their basic needs met.”
Members 1st serves more than 615,000 members from nearly 60 branch locations across 11 Pennsylvania counties, including: Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming, Northampton, Perry and York. In Berks, the credit union has two branches: 4363 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township, which opened in March 2021; and 4620 W. Penn Ave. in South Heidelberg Township, which opened in November 2021.