Eastman Credit Union (ECU) is stepping up to support those facing food insecurity across the region by committing $50,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. This contribution will help provide essential food resources to local communities due to the interruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and the impact of the government shutdown on federal workers.
“Eastman Credit Union has always been deeply committed to the well-being of our members and the communities we serve,” said Kelly Price, ECU’s president and CEO. “From the beginning of the government shutdown, we’ve stood by our federal employee members offering financial options to help alleviate stress during this disruption in pay, and we remain steadfast in that support. With food banks already stretched thin and SNAP benefits suspended, we recognize the urgency of this moment and are taking action to help ensure people in our region have access to the food they need.”
Tennessee and Texas are currently facing the greatest needs due to limited outside support. In addition to ECU’s donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, ECU also pledged $10,000 to East Texas Food Bank, where the credit union operates four branches.
“We serve portions of Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, and we are evaluating all areas we serve,” said Price.
ECU supports regional food pantries through donations and on an as needed basis. Most recently, ECU granted emergency funds to the Scott County Ministerial Association (SCMA) Food Pantry when shortfalls were reported that put the pantry at risk of closure. Price said ECU will continue to evaluate the needs, but at this point, Virginia’s state of emergency declaration has provided the most SNAP resources of the three states in the credit union’s service area.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and East Texas Food Bank will use ECU’s contributions to expand their outreach and distribution capacity, ensuring that vulnerable populations—including children, seniors and working families—receive the support they need.
ECU’s support for the community during government shutdowns is not new.
“When there is talk of a federal government shutdown, we start preparing our staff. Most shutdowns are averted, but when they are not, we’re here to help our members who experience a disruption in pay,” said Price.
In addition to supporting who are impacted by the SNAP benefit disruption, ECU also supports federal employee members impacted by the government shutdown in several ways, including offering loan payment deferrals and providing HELP Personal Loans to bridge the paycheck gap. For more information on the services available to federal workers visit www.ecu.org/government-shutdown.
“We care deeply about our communities, and we want them to know that we are here for them when they need us most,” said Price.
About Eastman Credit Union
Eastman Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee. Serving areas of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and East Texas, ECU is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with over 350,000 members and more than 1,100 employees. For more information about ECU, visit ecu.org. Funds are federally insured by NCUA. Member Equal Housing Lender. Equal Opportunity Employer.
