STCU Here for Good Foundation seasonal giving spills into 2024

The local food bank was among the recipients of donations from STCU’s Here for Good Foundation even after its holiday giving season.

The Care and Share Food Bank got a $10,000 boost from the credit union’s foundation.

STCU said that over a 12-week period, the foundation surprised 15 community organizations with financial gifts, impacting organizations across the credit union’s footprint.

The donations totaling $160,000 were made with a particular emphasis on education, workforce development, mentoring, and food insecurity.

“Our members like to know that their credit union is helping organizations that are committed to the success and growth of their communities,” said Ezra Eckhardt, STCU President and CEO. “And with costs remaining high for so many, we know that these donations will be appreciated.”

Donation details:

$25,000 to the Northeast Community Center in Spokane, to support the construction of a new childcare facility.

$10,000 to Communities in Schools of Spokane County to support their mission of student success.

$10,000 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, which facilitates one-to-one mentoring relationships for area youth.

$10,000 to Christ Kitchen, which provides workforce training and support for women in Spokane.

$10,000 to Partners INW in Spokane Valley, to support their “Food for Thought” program, which provides weekend meals for 500+ students.

$20,000 to B5, which delivers education and cultural integration programs to the Tri-Cities refugee community.

$10,000 each to Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin, to support their mission of student success.

$10,000 to Forge Youth Mentoring, which facilitates 1:1 mentoring programs between generations.

$10,000 to Grace Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers job training, employment, and empowerment to marginalized women in the community.

$7,500 each to Grand Coulee Care & Share, Rathdrum Lions Club, Omak Food Bank, NEW Hunger Coalition (serving Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties), Bonner Community Food Bank (serving Sandpoint and Priest River, ID), and the Inland Northwest Farmer’s Market Association, all non-profits providing food resources to clients, helping to reduce the gap in food insecurity in their respective communities.

Separately, STCU’s corporate giving arm contributed $60,000 to regional colleges and universities to support basic needs for students, $25,000 to SNAP to support their work in the housing sector, and $10,000 to support Expo +50 anniversary and economic development efforts with the city of Spokane. Taken together, STCU’s total corporate and foundation Season of Giving gifts totaled more than a quarter-million dollars.