RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In support of fellow North Carolinians who have suffered devastation from Hurricane Matthew, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members via the SECU Foundation have responded with a $500,000 grant for North Carolina Feeding America Food Banks to assist victims in the counties directly impacted by the storm. The state’s food banks are a critical resource during disaster relief efforts, providing water, food, cleaning supplies and other needed items. This grant will support the food banks that directly serve residents in the flood ravaged areas.
SECU Foundation Board member and Greenville, N.C. resident Al Delia notes, “As an eastern North Carolinian, I see the destruction that the floods resulting from Hurricane Matthew have caused. Thousands of lives and dozens of communities in this region are devastated. Many of our members, neighbors, friends and families are experiencing pain and hardship. State Employees’ Credit Union is a part of the communities shattered by this disaster and understands that recovery will take weeks, months and in some instances, years. That is why, through the SECU Foundation, we acted quickly to provide a large contribution to Feeding America Food Banks to help with recovery.”
“As a native of Lumberton, I am very grateful that the Foundation has chosen to help,” adds SECU Foundation Board member David King. “The damage in Robeson County is both widespread and long-lasting. I hope this assistance will make it clear that the Credit Union family is committed to helping Robeson and all affected North Carolina communities make a speedy recovery.”
“Once again the staff and members of State Employees’ Credit Union are stepping up to meet dire needs in our state,” says N.C. Feeding America Food Banks Executive Director Alan Briggs. “The generous grant from SECU Foundation will help North Carolina’s food banks provide vital relief to so many of our neighbors facing hardships resulting from Hurricane Matthew. This donation will help us continue to serve food and water to early disaster responders, feed families displaced by the floods and also maintain our ability to feed those already facing food insecurity. On behalf of all those many thousands who will benefit, but whose names and faces we will never know, we say thank you.”
“We are pleased to be able to support our fellow citizens in such an impactful way through our local food banks,” says SECU Foundation Chairman Jim Johnson. We encourage others who are in a position to do so, to please consider assisting through donations or volunteerism – many hands can make a tremendous difference for those who need help putting their lives back together.”
About SECU and the SECU Foundation
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 79 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves over 2 million members through 257 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.