People’s Credit Union closed all its branches Sept. 18 to allow employees to volunteer with 12 nonprofit organizations across Rhode Island, donating more than 500 hours to combat homelessness and housing insecurity.
The Middletown-based credit union’s second annual Day of Purpose saw employees partner with organizations from Providence to South Kingstown, conducting financial wellness workshops, organizing clothing drives and serving meals to those in need.
“At People’s Credit Union, being a catalyst for positive change means using our resources and expertise to make a meaningful difference,” said Sean Daly, head of People’s Credit Union.
Employees collected more than 400 pounds of clothing during a drive leading up to the volunteer day. The donated items were distributed through partner organizations serving homeless and housing-insecure Rhode Islanders.
Volunteer activities ranged from organizing 2,100 cans of food at Lucy’s Hearth in Middletown to creating 200 snack packs for Thrive Behavioral Health’s homeless outreach team. At Crossroads Rhode Island in Providence, volunteers helped distribute 3,450 essential items through a pop-up shop format.
“The energy and dedication of the volunteers made a real impact in helping us serve Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity,” said Tuni Schartner, executive director of the MAE Organization for the Homeless in Cranston.
Other participating organizations included Child & Family, East Bay Community Action Program, Haus of Codec, House of Hope CDC, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, McKinney Shelter, Newport Mental Health and The Welcome House of South County.
At the MLK Community Center in Newport, volunteers created 100 hygiene kits and served lunch to 75 community members. Newport Mental Health volunteers assembled 121 care packages for the organization’s Rhode Island Outreach team, which engages with five to 20 homeless individuals daily.
“We’re proud to stand with our friends at People’s in working to be catalysts for positive change in our community,” said Heather Hole Strout, executive director of the MLK Community Center.
Founded in 1922, People’s Credit Union is a state-chartered, member-owned community credit union headquartered in Middletown. The institution offers personal and business banking services with membership open to all individuals.
