Credit union packaging food for local needy

DOWNEY − In an effort to address the rising rate of food insecurity statewide, Downey Federal Credit Union is starting at home -- determined to package 27,000 meals next Thursday with the help of more than 100 volunteers. “Feeding Children Everywhere gave a presentation to the Rotary Club of Downey and our CEO Ray Mesler loved the idea,” said Sheila Tetangco-Bartolone, marketing manager for Downey Federal Credit Union. “We’re funding this, instead of a boring annual meeting, because we want to show our commitment to the community.”

During the one-night event “DFCU Cares,” Downey Federal Credit Union is partnering with Feeding Children Everywhere from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center where participants will hand package 27,000 healthy meals for local families in need.

Tetangco-Bartolone says all of the food is staying in Downey, distributed to the local schools through PTA Helps and available through FoodHelp, a food bank ministry hosted by Downey First Christian Church.

“We’re at capacity for volunteers, but people can drop of their donations at the credit union or go to our website and click on the ‘help make a difference’ banner,” said Tetangco-Bartolone.

“DFCU Cares” is a part of Feeding Children Everywhere’s newest campaign, US Hunger. The project is a social charity that specializes in the empowerment and mobilization of people to provide a healthy solution to the hunger problem in the United States.

For more information on the event or to donate, visit www.downeyfcu.org.

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Published: April 10, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 52