Credit Union wins award

The ELGA Credit Union staff received their Caring Community Credit Union trophy after collecting 13,222 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Seven other credit unions participated in the weeklong friendly competition that raised a total of 31,817 pounds of food for the food bank. Photo by Amanda Braniecki GENESEE COUNTY — ELGA Credit Union was recently awarded with a plaque and trophy for collecting the largest amount of food and money during the Caring Community Credit Union week challenge in June to aid the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

ELGA Credit Union collected 1,875 pounds of actual food during the challenge week of June 21 to June 25, while also raising $1,545.90 in overall monetary donations from members.

The award was presented at the ELGA branch in Burton, 2303 S. Center Rd., by Tim Curry, development coordinator for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The money collected by ELGA will be used to purchase an additional 13,222 pounds of food.

ELGA’s eight branches, including locations in Burton, Davison, Clio, Flushing and Lapeer, were joined in the inaugural challenge by Amalgamated Credit Union in Saginaw Township, Copoco Community Credit Union in Bay City, Security Credit Union in Burton and Flint, FinancialEdge Credit Union in Bay City, Northland Area Credit Union in AuGres, First Area Credit Union in Thomas Township and Thunder Bay Area Credit Union in Alpena. A grand total of 31,817 pounds of food was raised during the challenge by participants.

The idea came about when Cheryl Sclater, ELGA’s business and community manager, was talking with Curry, development coordinator for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, about involving all the credit unions in some type of fundraiser during the summer months.

“If the schools can do it, why can’t the credit unions do it,” said Sclater, who hoped the event will become an annual tradition. She noted the event will take place over two weeks next year around the same time as this year’s competition.

Sclater thanked credit union members such as VG’s and Great Giant for donating boxes of food and drink mixes during the challenge.

“That was neat how our business members came in and gave back to the community they serve,” she said.

Sclater commented she is pondering recommending the event for an award from the Michigan Credit Union League to recognize everyone who took part in making it a success in its first year.

“The whole time they (the group of credit unions) thought the whole group would bring in 10,000 pounds, but it brought in so much more than that,” she said. “ELGA brought in more than 10,000 (pounds) alone. It was great to see.”

The Food Bank had pushed for the event in an effort to remind local residents that “Hunger Does Not Take a Vacation” at any time of the year. Nearly all of the 400 local agencies the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan provides food to — including locations in the counties of Genesee (Flint), Lapeer (Imlay City), Sanilac (Marlette), Tuscola (Caro) and Saginaw — are reporting a 15 percent to 40 percent increase in clients from 2009.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan should call 810-239-4441 or visit