HARRISBURG, Penn.–PSECU has been named a 2018 winner of the international Communitas Awards. The winning nomination, in the award’s Excellence in Community Service: Philanthropy category, was based on PSECU’s 2017 Hunger Action Month campaign benefiting the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
“Credit unions, like PSECU, are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that exist to serve their members. Jointly, credit unions follow a ‘people helping people’ philosophy, which basically means that we aim to create a positive impact for our members and our communities – not corporate shareholders – in all we do. It’s what sets us apart from banks,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “Our 2017 Hunger Action Month campaign is just one example of the ways PSECU serves Pennsylvania residents. We’re honored to receive such esteemed recognition for our contributions to help to end hunger. These efforts are representative of the many good-will initiatives of fellow credit unions around the world.”
The Communitas Awards are presented to recognize exceptional businesses, organizations, and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business to benefit their communities. Winners are located throughout the world and include such recognizable companies as MasterCard, Honeywell, Dow Chemical, Toyota, and Vonage.
During September 2017, PSECU and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank teamed up to raise awareness and resources during Hunger Action Month. As part of the collaboration, PSECU served as the presenting sponsor of several initiatives highlighting the issue of hunger in Pennsylvania and spurring community action. Contributions included financial support of events, the food bank’s annual Hunger Heroes awards, and contribution matching in a first-ever virtual food drive.
“Our judges found that PSECU clearly exhibits the spirit of communitas, a Latin word that means people coming together for the good of a community,” explained a letter to the credit union from Communitas Awards announcing the award receipt. “PSECU joins other Communitas winners recognized for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy or ethical, sustainable business practices.”
“PSECU is proud to serve Pennsylvanians each and every day, not only with our high-quality products and services, but through our active involvement in the community,” said PSECU Vice President of Marketing and Membership Development Barb Bowker. “We’re committed to promoting the collective welfare and interest of everyone within our reach. Our dedication consists of volunteer participation, financial education programs, sponsorships – like our support of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month programming – and charitable contributions.”