On Aug. 27, United Communities Credit Union celebrated over $1 million in giving over the past two years and announced an additional $35,000 contribution to help fight hunger in the Huron & Perth region. The announcement was made in Bayfield at a community reception held at The Doctors Inn.

Representatives from many of the non- profit Community Partners that United Communities Credit Union has worked with in the past two years enabling them to further their commitments to our communities. (Submitted photo) Click image to view larger image

"We are proud to have worked with a number of individuals and groups and to have had such a significant impact in the community. We've been involved in a number of initiatives including providing over 310,000 pounds of locally grown food through our Farms to Food Banks program, helping to send over 100 youth to post-secondary schools and leadership camps, and funding The Doctors Inn physician recruitment cottage," said United Communities Credit Union President and CEO, Jim Lynn. "We could not be more pleased to be partnered with community groups that mirror our vision of making our communities better places to live".

The Farms to Food Banks Program will receive $10,000 to purchase locally grown apples, potatoes, pork and beef for distribution to local food banks. The Huron County Food Distribution Centre will also receive $25,000 to purchase much needed equipment and refrigeration units to act as a storage facility for the smaller food banks.

"This is a step in ensuring a sustainable solution to our food banks needs, and we are proud to be involved in getting this facility started", continues Lynn.

The Huron County Food Distribution Centre is currently located in Exeter while a search is made for a permanent facility. There are more than ten smaller food banks operating in Huron and Perth Counties that can access the food reserves at the distribution centre. Most of the smaller facilities lack the space for much refrigeration or freezer space so the distribution centre acts as a 'holding' facility for perishable food supplies.

The food banks currently involved in the Farms to Food Banks program are the Salvation Army branches in Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth, Exeter, Wingham and Listowel; St. Vincent de Paul, Goderich;  North Huron Food Share; Friends of the Community, Clinton; and Blessings, Zurich.

United Communities Credit Union has been committed to enriching the lives of its members and communities in southwestern Ontario for over 66 years providing personal, business and community groups with flexible and professional banking, borrowing, investing and insurance products and services.