Loaves and Fishes Funding Provided by Pacific Service Credit Union

Press Release: Walnut Creek, California, May 23, 2011

Aware of the continuing effects of the recession in communities it serves, Pacific Service Credit Union has donated $5,000 to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa to provide free weekday hot meals.

Funds donated by the Credit Union will provide nearly 1,200 meals for individuals and families taking advantage of the meals program at Loaves and Fishes facilities in eastern Contra Costa County.  “Our partnership with Loaves and Fishes helps to assist those in need, and with the economy continuing to struggle, the need for support has risen”, said Steve Punch, president of Pacific Service CU.  “Our Board of Directors is well aware of the support needed in the communities we serve and continues to lead the way in funding organizations that provide food and shelter for those in desperate need.  In 2010 our holiday giving to various charities provided over 90,000 meals,” Punch added.

“We would not be able to provide nutritious weekday hot meals without donations from organizations like Pacific Service Credit Union”, said Joleen Lafayette, development director at Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa.  “This partnership addresses the concern for the needs of those disadvantaged in our community with providing a basic staple of a hot meal”, Lafayette added.

Since 1983, Loaves and Fishes have served over 3.5 million meals to hungry people throughout Contra Costa County with the assistance of thousands of volunteers.  According to the Contra Costa Times, Loaves and Fishes is one of the most cost-effective charitable organizations in the Bay Area second only to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties in efficiency.  Loaves and Fishes serves weekday hot meals out of eight locations in Contra Costa County.  For more information about Loaves and Fishes, contact Joleen Lafayette at (925) 687-6760 or visit the website at www.loavesfishescc.org.

About Pacific Service Credit Union

Pacific Service Credit Union launched its Community Involvement Program in 2001.  Designed to give back to the communities the Credit Union serves, the primary focusing is on helping underserved individuals by funding education, health, safety, and abuse prevention programs.  In addition to donations, the Credit Union also makes available meeting space for non-profit organizations in Community Rooms at most of its branch locations.

Pacific Service Credit Union is a leading California financial institution with more than $1 billion in assets.  The credit union serves individuals who live or work in the following 12 counties:  Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Marin, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.  For more information about Pacific Service Credit Union, call (888) 858-6878 or visit the Web site, pacificservice.org.