Page 12 - LRCC July 2020 Focus

#LOVELANSING

LRCC Members Unite to Feed the Need

CREDIT UNIONS DONATE TO HELP FEED 8,000 ADULTS IN GREATER LANSING

FOLLOWING MICHIGAN’S STAY-AT-HOME ORDER to
curb the spread of COVID-19, food insecurity
soared throughout the state, and Greater Lansing
was no exception. The YMCA Healthy Living
Mobile Kitchen Program saw an immediate seven-
fold increase in need.

“Even though YMCA facilities are temporarily
closed to the public, our mission work in the
community has exploded,” said Jeff Scheibel,
YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing president & CEO.
“The generosity in this community has always been
very good, but some businesses have really stepped
up to help us meet this incredible ongoing need.”

LAFCU and CASE Credit Union collaborated on
a $5,000 donation, which was matched by a grant from Michigan Credit the need is great and with partnerships and collaborations like this, we know
Union Foundation. The total gift of $10,000 will be used to support the Y’s together we are making a difference.”
anti-hunger program, providing 8,000 meals for adults in Greater Lansing
and extending the adult program for approximately one month. To donate to the YMCA COVID-19 Response Fund in Greater Lansing,
visit www.lansingymca.org/hlmk or contact the Y’s Casey Thompson,
Beth Troost, Michigan Credit Union Foundation executive director, said, “It (517) 827-9645. n
is inspiring to see two credit unions working together to help meet such a
critical community need. It demonstrates how credit unions live a people-first
philosophy.”

The YMCA program delivers meals to families in need via a bus donated by
Kellie Dean, president of Dean Transportation, and retrofitted with a kitchen.
The Mobile Kitchen bus visits seven locations in Greater Lansing Monday-
Friday, providing free healthy meals to kids and adults.

In May, the five-person staff distributed 27,232 meals, nearly three times the
number delivered the entire summer 2019. For Over 65 Years

“It’s heartbreaking when you realize how many Greater Lansing families are
struggling to put food on the table,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU
chief marketing officer. “It’s heartwarming to know that our support is helping
ease that struggle.”

The Mobile Kitchen bus is at each site for 20 minutes and strives to provide
families with enough food on Fridays to last through the weekend.

Molly Summerfield, CASE Credit Union assistant vice president of marketing,
said, “Credit unions exist to improve the financial health of their members.
It’s truly rewarding to contribute to the physical health of our community, Providing Legal Strategies and
especially during these tough times.”
Solutions for the Success of
Food for youth under 18 years of age is federally funded. Corporate and
private donations support the Y’s program staff, operate the bus, and pay for Businesses and Individuals.
adult meals.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 feeding relief, the YMCA of Downtown Office:
Metropolitan Lansing has provided 86,965 meals to community members. Grand Rapids Office:
180 Monroe Ave. NW 124 W. Allegan St.
Suite 400 Suite 700
“This funding is a godsend,” Scheibel said. “LAFCU, CASE Credit Union Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Lansing, MI 48933
and MCUL have shown great leadership, and social responsibility. They are (616) 301‐1200 (517) 482‐2400
bringing a ray of hope to thousands of people in our community. We know

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