Financial Center First Credit Union helped raise $341,524 for Pack the Pantries, a hunger awareness campaign in central Indiana hosted by FOX59, Gleaners and Midwest Food Banks.

Usually, Pack the Pantries is a 24-hour telethon held in April where FOX59 and CBS4 viewers call in to donate funds to food pantries or donate online. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, food pantry needs were greater, and FOX59 and its partners stepped up hosting two 72-hour virtual food drives.

Public support was overwhelming, with many community members coming together to raise the highest amount in a single year in Pack the Pantries history – tripling last year’s telethon donations. The $341,524 raised will help provide Gleaners and Midwest Food Banks with flexible funds to feed tens of thousands of local families, and provide nearly 1.4 million meals.

This year marks the fifth year that Financial Center has sponsored the program, as feeding the hungry is one of the Credit Union’s three community outreach pillars.

“Indianapolis needs us, and our many Hoosier friends, families, and neighbors need us,” states J. Kevin Ryan, President and CEO of Financial Center, “At Financial Center, we believe it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those under financial hardship, both inside and outside of our branches. Supporting Pack the Pantries is one way we can put words into action, and support the communities we serve. This is especially important during the current COVID-19 pandemic.”