The NCUA announced Oct. 15 that its donations to an annual food drive by federal employees was up nearly ten-fold from last year.

Agency employees donated more than 22,000 pounds of food in the Feds Feed Families drive this year, the agency said, enough to provide meals to more than 18,000 people in the D.C. area who might otherwise have gone without.

Todd Harper, the NCUA's director of public and congressional affairs, topped the list of givers, personally donating more than 4,000 pounds of food. In all, 18 NCUA employees reached donation levels that qualified them for the Feds Feed Families Hall of Fame, the agency said.

The NCUA exponentially increased its annual food drive haul this year, donating 11 tons of food.

"The staff at NCUA really stepped up, and this year's charity drive was nothing short of amazing," NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz said in a statement.

"In a time when food banks are reporting historically high levels of requests for help, NCUA staff responded to the need energetically and creatively. It's a great feeling to know we've really helped alleviate hunger in the greater Washington area," Matz said.

Employees at Wildfire Credit Union collected coats, hats, mittens, snowpants and other winter supplies from employees and members for area charities.

Donations included whole-grain foods, canned fruits and vegetables, soups and stews, high-protein foods and baking goods, the agency said.

The $686 million Wildfire Credit Union of Saginaw, Mich. announced it will soon distribute more than 300 coats to United Way agencies in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland counties. Over the last several months, Wildfire employees managed a Keep Our Community Warm coat drive, in which members and employees brought new coats, hats, mittens and snow pants into credit union branches. Wildfire employees also hosted a clothing drive during the months of August and September. Hundreds of new or gently used shirts, pants, shoes and other items collected during the drive were donated to the Saginaw Rescue Mission, Bay Area Women's Shelter and Shelterhouse in Midland, Mich.

The Genysis Credit Union management team donated time to assist Habitat for Humanity in an effort to provide a single mother with a home.

The $22 million Trico Community Federal Credit Union of Helena, Mont. teamed up with a local engineering firm to make a donation to Shodair Children's Hospital based upon 2013 seasonal statistics from a local minor league baseball team. The initial commitment between was to donate $1 per RBI achieved by Helena's local minor league Brewers team, but Trico increased its contribution to $5. The increase resulted in a total $2,382 donation to Montana's Children Miracle Network hospital. The donation will help an effort to fund the recently opened Shodair Family House, an on-site housing facility where families can stay while a child receives treatment.

The credit union and engineering firm might seem like an odd couple, but Trico said credit unions across the state have contracted CTA Architects Engineers to build new facilities or remodel existing ones.

American Heritage FCU collected school supplies for a rural Kenyan orphanage. WOCCU will deliver the items.

"Partnering for a cause has not been just rewarding for charitable reasons, but also generates spirited fun with a stake in the outcome," said Zoe Smith, mechanical engineer associate with CTA. "Since it involved local athletic talent with the Brewers team, their success pays forward in a positive way. The RBI rally concept has connected dissimilar businesses to be engaged and collaborate for no other reason than to share giving across the community."

Shodair Children's Hospital helps families across the state regardless of their ability to pay, and Trico President Eddie Black said Helena is fortunate to have the facility.

"Most of the children that come to Shodair come from modest means," Black said. "The new Shodair House will provide their families a place to stay for a small suggested donation. This money will help furnish that home and continue the efforts currently underway through Credit Union for Kids."

Members of the management team at the $1.5 billion Genisys Credit Union of Auburn Hills, Mich., volunteered with the Oakland County Habitat for Humanity on Oct. 10.

"We had a great time working together to provide a member of our community with a safe and livable home," said Jackie Buchanan, president/CEO. "It's always rewarding to know that we've helped make a difference in someone's life."

The effort provided much-needed renovations to a home for a single mother who is pursuing an education to become an EMT.

Currently the single mother and her daughter are sharing a one bedroom apartment.

Genisys volunteers helped with a variety of home-building needs including installation of appliances and deep cleaning of the house.

The $1.3 billion American Heritage Federal Credit Union of Philadelphia recently collected school supplies for the Busia Compassionate Centre, located in rural Western Kenya. Items such as backpacks, notebooks, crayons and markers were donated by employees and volunteers. World Council of Credit Unions, who will soon visit the orphanage, will deliver the supplies.

In addition, employees raised $510 in cash donations through various raffles to be used toward the purchase of additional supplies. So far this year, a total of $4,335 has been raised to support the orphanage.

The Busia Compassionate Centre is home to 80 children, ages three to 21, many of whom have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.

The $776 million St. Mary's Bank of Manchester, N.H. said it awarded a $2,500 Community Outreach grant to The Webster House on Oct. 9. The facility provides a safe, supportive home for children unable to live at home primarily due to abuse, neglect or difficulties in the community.

The grant from the nation's first credit union will be used to fund emergency beds not covered by state licensed agencies or juvenile court monies, adding two more beds to the number currently available.

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