Volunteers Aid Seniors, Families in Need at Rancho Cordova Food Locker

Folsom, Calif.–(Oct. 13, 2023) – At a time when many are especially in need of food assistance during record high inflation, SAFE Credit Union volunteers recently showed up in force to donate their time at the Rancho Cordova Food Locker.

Twenty SAFE volunteers from the credit union's Sacramento and Placer County branches helped the food distribution center serve long lines of more than 340 individuals within about three hours on Sept. 22.

Their efforts were part of SAFE's annual Building CommYOUnity service month and SAFE's continued support of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce.

SAFE held a "60 for 60" volunteer campaign, pledging 60 hours of service to the Rancho Cordova community in September for the Chamber's 60^th anniversary. SAFE volunteers more than doubled that commitment – volunteering a total of 125 hours at the Food Locker as well as at Soil Born Farms and for residents at Volunteers of America's Mather Community Campus.

Rancho Cordova Food Locker Executive Director Carrie Johnson welcomed the volunteer efforts. The food distribution center, providing groceries to seniors and those facing food insecurity, has seen an increase in service from 460 families per week to 1,000 in the past year.

"This is the level of kindness that many in need don't often receive, and it makes a huge impact," Johnson says of the SAFE employees who volunteered. "It really can be difficult for some to come here, and when we have volunteers who can give a warm smile and help them out with their groceries, it makes a big difference."

This year, as part of Building CommYOUnity Month, credit union employees volunteered on more than 40 separate volunteer projects at more than 20 Sacramento area nonprofits. Building CommYOUnity Month encourages SAFE employees to provide a positive impact on communities by volunteering during September.

"We were so happy to be a part of not only helping people at the food locker, but also in making such a substantial commitment to the Rancho Cordova community, where SAFE has served residents and businesses at our Folsom Boulevard branch for many years," says SAFE Credit Union Relationship Manager Karen Shahhosseini.

Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Diann Rogers says the chamber has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with the credit union since it became a Chamber member in 2011 and says SAFE's involvement and its employees' service adds "a positive, long-lasting impact on our Chamber, our members, and the entire business community."

"What stands out is SAFE's consistency and the depth of their involvement," Rogers says. "They're not just involved but invested in the Chamber and the community's development."

Volunteer and Relationship Officer at SAFE's Folsom Branch Ryan Soria says it felt good "to really help people who maybe are not in the best spot right now."

"The individuals coming in here have been really nice and thanking us for being here, even for if for a day," says Soria.

SAFE Rancho Cordova Branch Manager Amaris Padilla says she was excited to be helping "give back to the community" she works in each day. "The Food Locker is close to our branch location, and I wanted to volunteer in the area where we work."

SAFE's Hazel Branch Manager Ronila Prasad was impressed with the Food Locker's efforts. "I like how they treat their guests like we treat our members. We and they treat everybody with dignity and respect," says Prasad who livesin Rocklin.

Volunteerism is a part of the award-winning culture at SAFE – the Sacramento Business Journal this month named SAFE as the Best Place to Work, Very Large Employer.

SAFE offers each employee 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer individually or with their co-workers as a team.

For more information email [email protected].

###

About SAFE

SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.7 billion in assets and about 236,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members' needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org