Industrial Credit Union Awards $40,000 to Whatcom County Food Banks

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on November 19, 2024

Industrial Credit Union, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), announced that Whatcom County, Wash., food banks will receive a $40,000 grant from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program, which was introduced in 2023, will provide nearly $12 million to eligible Washington organizations to help strengthen communities in targeted areas of FHLB Des Moines’ district.

Industrial Credit Union’s Director of Marketing, Kessa Volland presents Stephanie Sisson from the Bellingham Food Bank with a check for the donation.

“I am so proud of the credit union’s long-standing commitment to advance food security in our communities, and I’m thrilled that our partners at FHLB Des Moines could support our efforts this year,” said Industrial Credit Union President and CEO Brandon Hahnel. “It has been challenging to ask our members to donate funds when many of them are struggling with economic uncertainty. This grant will substantially assist our local food bank partners who do so much for Whatcom County families.”

Industrial Credit Union has a long history of fundraising annually in support of area food banks through fundraising events, member and community donation drives, and direct gifting. Direct fiscal donations to area food banks can be leveraged to supplement their inventory with perishable foods and other necessities when they are most needed throughout the year.

FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides $3 for every $1 of an eligible FHLB Des Moines member’s grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to serve the affordable housing or community development needs of their communities. The Member Impact Fund awards are given in partnership with member financial institutions to communities in their districts to become more vibrant places to live and work.

The Member Impact Fund is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members to support affordable housing and community development needs. “We are thrilled to see grants from our Member Impact Fund having a direct, positive impact on the communities in which our members help advance affordable housing and community development needs in a meaningful way,” said Kris Williams, President and CEO of FHLB Des Moines.

Posted in Community Impact, Regional Member News, Washington.