Endwell, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union employees recently completed their third annual "Anti-Hunger Games" to combat food insecurity. The employee-led giveback campaign has grown from a food drive to include volunteerism and a gift match opportunity.
In 2020, Visions held a food drive to coincide with their Employee Appreciation Day. The event was so successful that they introduced the Anti-Hunger Games the following year, to capture the staff's enthusiasm and make an even greater impact. Visions' Community Development Liaison Sarah Parton helms the annual campaign, which spans across the credit union's three-state footprint in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
To keep the campaign fresh each year, Parton introduces new challenges, incentives, or rewards that motivate employees to support the fight against food insecurity. "We make it a game to encourage more staff to participate," said Parton. "It's always rewarding, though, even without the prizes."
Throughout the three-month campaign, Visions employees volunteered for soup kitchens and urban farms, donated to food drives, and competed between business units to gather the most nonperishable food items. As a result, they donated more than 5,000 items to 15 food pantries and clocked 112 volunteer hours.
To coincide with the employee-led campaign, Visions offered a gift match in Givio for select organizations that fight food insecurity in their communities. Givio is a donation service available to Visions members in digital banking. During July, when Visions members made online donations to any of the chosen charities, Visions Cares provided a matching donation.
About Visions Federal Credit Union
Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.