Credit unions mobilize multi-decade traditions and food drives for Thanksgiving hunger relief

Credit unions nationwide are responding to record food insecurity through decades-long Thanksgiving meal programs, matching donation campaigns, and coordinated food drives across hundreds of branches. These member-owned institutions are leveraging multi-generational traditions and innovative partnerships to ensure families have food on their tables this Thanksgiving.

For more than four decades, Veridian Credit Union has served free Thanksgiving meals to northeast Iowa families, making it one of the longest-running credit union holiday traditions in the nation.

What began in 1982 during the farm crisis, as the Mike & Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner continues today, with the Waterloo-based credit union preparing to serve approximately 1,300 meals today. A tradition focused on a community commitment that spans generations.

"The Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner remains one of Veridian's richest, longest-standing traditions," said Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer. "We're grateful for Mike and Leona's legacy and the example of service they set for all of us." Mike, a late board member for what is now Veridian, and his late wife, Leona, organized the first event.

Veridian has also pledged $100,000 to organizations and events that are fighting local food insecurity across Iowa, along with Omaha, Nebraska, and Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The funds will be divided among nine area food banks, local pantries, and events or programs offering free Thanksgiving meals.

Nationwide response to growing need

Including industry-wide response to the recent government shutdown, credit unions across the nation are responding to unprecedented demand for food assistance. Feeding America reports that 47.4 million Americans—including one in five children—face hunger, with food insecurity rising significantly in recent months due to inflation and reduced pandemic-era assistance programs.

Truliant Federal Credit Union has launched an ambitious response with its "Donate Dollars - Feeding Our Neighbors in Need" campaign. The North Carolina-based credit union and its foundation are matching all donations up to $50,000, with a goal of providing $100,000 for regional food banks.

"Food banks are facing increased demand during a season when many families already struggle to access nutritious meals," said Atticus Simpson, executive director of the Truliant Foundation.

The campaign targets four key food security organizations: Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina in the Triad, Harvest Hope in South Carolina, and Feeding Southwest Virginia.

In Ohio, LorMet Community Federal Credit Union demonstrates a similar sustained commitment with its tenth annual member match campaign, donating $35,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio. The credit union has contributed more than $254,000 since 2016, with this year's donation alone providing an estimated 210,000 meals to families facing heightened food insecurity.

The urgent need is evident: Second Harvest has seen a 49% increase in households seeking assistance in just the first five days of November compared to last year, forcing the food bank to double its weekly distribution from 1,000 to 2,000 boxes.

In Maine, credit unions demonstrated the power of coordinated action through the Maine Credit Union League's annual $100,000 Ending Hunger Challenge. The 35-year-old campaign brought together credit unions statewide during October, with participating institutions organizing fundraisers to combat food insecurity intensified by government shutdown impacts on SNAP benefits. The effort exceeded all expectations, raising $238,217—more than double the original goal—with nearly $36,000 directed to Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Some credit unions are transforming their branch networks into food collection and distribution centers, leveraging their community presence to maximize impact. First Community Credit Union has organized food drives across its Houston-area branches, while Peninsula Credit Union in Washington state has established collection points for both food donations and financial contributions to local food banks.

Last week in Kansas City, attendees of America's Credit Unions' Small Credit Union Conference teamed with employees of Dimensional Innovations of Overland Park, Kansas, to package donated food to feed more than 2,400 people. Five hundred backpacks were packed with ingredients to make a chili meal, and the conference attendees wrote notes of encouragement that were placed in an envelope, which also included listings of local resources.

Other credit unions across the country are implementing diverse approaches to holiday hunger relief, including:

• Dade County Federal Credit Union in Miami organized turkey giveaways for families in need
• Lebanon Federal Credit Union in Pennsylvania distributed $1,500 in grocery gift cards through their Thanksgiving giveaway program
• American Heritage Credit Union launched its 12th annual "Spirit of Giving" food drive with a goal of collecting 20,000 pounds of food

The credit union difference in action

These Thanksgiving initiatives exemplify what sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions. Credit unions operate as member-owned cooperatives with a fundamental mission to serve their communities. This structure enables long-term commitments like Veridian's four-decade tradition, which creates lasting community value.

The cooperative structure also enables rapid response to community needs. When Truliant launched its matching campaign, the decision emerged from understanding member communities' specific challenges, not corporate headquarters' profit targets. Credit unions can pivot quickly to address local food insecurity because their decision-makers live in the same communities they serve.

Making an impact this Thanksgiving

The scale of credit union Thanksgiving efforts reflects the movement's collective reach and commitment. These institutions are addressing food insecurity at both intimate community levels and regional scales. Their efforts represent millions of dollars in direct donations, volunteer hours, and infrastructure support for food security organizations.

By mobilizing members, leveraging resources, and maintaining partnerships with food security organizations, these financial cooperatives are ensuring that more families can gather around tables with adequate food this holiday season.