JAY — OTIS Federal Credit Union kicked off a new initiative Nov. 29 aimed at combating hunger locally.
A Christmas tree is displayed in the Credit Union’s teller area, decorated with angel ornaments: Each angel bears the mascot of one of six school districts on its front, and a dollar amount on its back. Individuals can choose an angel representing RSU 9, RSU 38, RSU 73, RSU 78, MSAD 52 or MSAD 58, and will have the option of sponsoring a child’s lunch for one day, one week, two weeks or four weeks. On Dec. 31, the credit union will disburse checks for the total amount donated to each of the six school districts’ lunch programs. Money will be used to help pay down student lunch debts within the districts.
The idea was conceived when Sarah Hayes, director of marketing and communications and Kim Turner, president/CEO, visited Spruce Mountain High School for a photo with Food Service Director Laura Lorette following a $200 donation made to RSU 73’s lunch program. As the they discussed how the donation would be used in the district, Hayes and Turner asked to be kept abreast of any further opportunities to help. When the idea of decorating an “angel tree” with ornaments bearing lunch prices was raised in conversation, the three immediately sprang into action.
Lorette proposed the idea at a School Board meeting later that evening, where it was unanimously approved. In short order, the remaining five school districts within the Credit Union’s field of membership were contacted, and all agreed to participate. While logistics were being hammered out, a committee of employees at OTIS got to work creating the ornaments and readying the tree.
“A student who is hungry has a harder time focusing on learning,” said Lorette. “Nutritious foods provide kids the energy to excel in and out of school. RSU 73 provides a nutritionally balanced breakfast for free to each student, and low-cost or free lunches to students each school day. Unfortunately, one in five children in Maine still struggles with hunger, and many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for public assistance. We are very pleased to participate in this program, and our goal is to reach as many students as we can.”
Turner said, “We are so excited to be able to do this for the school districts within our field of membership. Food insecurity, particularly within schools, is very real and during this time of giving, we feel that this is a great opportunity to help children that may not have the means to pay for their lunches.” Added Hayes, “When we recently made the $200 lunch program donations to these districts to commemorate International Credit Union Day, we were met with so much gratitude — and also confronted with the true magnitude of the lunch debt issue. We really felt called, as an organization, to do more, and we are thrilled to be kicking off this new initiative this year. The holidays are traditionally a time of giving and of spreading joy. What better way to capture the spirit of the season than to serve as a conduit for giving within our own community?”
Credit union members, as well as members of the wider community, are invited to donate. The Credit Union is at 170 Main St.
PHOTO: Sarah Hayes, director of marketing and communications; Caitlin Lake, loan officer; Kim Turner, president/CEO; Jasmine Merrill, member specialist. (Submitted photo)
