Financial Center First Credit Union, in partnership with FOX59, helped raise over $95,000 through Pack the Pantries, a hunger awareness campaign. Held on April 12th, Pack the Pantries is a bi-annual, 13-hour telethon that feeds Hoosiers in need through partnerships with Gleaners and Midwest Food Bank.

Since 2015, Financial Center has supported the hunger awareness campaign through providing resources, including employee volunteer time and monetary donations. This year, 22 Financial Center staff members volunteered at the phone bank to receive donations from local viewers.

The $95,000 raised in the 2019 spring telethon allows these food banks to spend flexibly based on their needs, with each dollar providing up to four meals and the equivalent of $12 in food.

“Not only does Pack the Pantries allow us to bring attention to the hunger needs of the Indianapolis community, but it allows us to address financial instability at the root of the problem,” states Dusty Simmons, Financial Center’s VP of Membership Development, “With our partnership with FOX59, we’re able to provide on-air financial education to those who may be watching and looking for a solution to their financial struggles.”

Financial Center CEO, J. Kevin Ryan (middle) presents $3,000 donation to Pack the Pantries initiative.