In Anticipation of Holiday Season

Connecticut’s Credit Unions presented checks of $16,000 each to nonprofits Operation Fuel, Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank at a press conference held today to kick off the Holiday Giving Season and to raise awareness of the many Connecticut households that cannot afford their energy bills and nutritious food. The press conference was held at the State Capitol Thursday on International Credit Union Day.

“It’s an incredible honor to support organizations like Operation Fuel who provide critical heating assistance to residents across the state,” said David Hinchey, Director of Community Impact, Credit Union League of Connecticut. “Connecticut’s Credit Unions fully support our non-profit partners who do amazing work in their communities.

“Operation Fuel and Connecticut’s Credit Unions have long been partners in helping people access important services and provide a critical safety net for Connecticut residents,” added Hinchey. “Credit unions were founded on the principle of people helping people and our roots tie closely with Operation Fuel’s mission, which is caring for the state’s most vulnerable residents.”

“We are very grateful to the Credit Unions in Connecticut. The Connecticut Credit Union Charitable Foundation has been supporting Operation Fuel since 2005 and has provided over $117,000 in funding for our traditional energy assistance program as well as our Homelessness Intervention and Prevention program. We have been able to help hundreds of struggling families and individuals stay safe and warm in their homes thanks to this wonderful support,” pointed out Brenda Watson, Operation Fuel’s Executive Director.

The three nonprofits are expecting a significant number of requests for energy and food assistance over the next several months. There are currently more than 500,000 Connecticut households that are finding it difficult to pay for basic necessities.

Operation Fuel will begin accepting energy assistance applications on December 3. People who need help should call 211. Operation Fuel provides emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to lower-income families and individuals, the elderly and disabled individuals who are not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org.