Gesa teams with charities for Hunger Action Month

RICHLAND ‒ Gesa Credit Union is teaming up with longtime partners Second Harvest and Food Lifeline to address food insecurity in the Northwest this Hunger Action Month, according to an announcement from Gesa. Throughout September, the three organizations will work together to mobilize the community to take action against the devastating impact hunger has locally. 

As the presenting sponsor for this year’s Hunger Action Month, Gesa will match up to $25,000 each in total donations to both Second Harvest and Food Lifeline, according to the announcement. The credit union will also collect monetary donations and host food drives for non-perishable food items at its branches throughout the month. All three organizations encourage the community to donate if they are able or volunteer their time at several opportunities across Washington on Hunger Action Day, which falls on Sept. 10. 

“Gesa is incredibly proud to partner with Second Harvest and Food Lifeline again this year for Hunger Action Month. Our ongoing collaboration is about more than just providing meals—it’s about giving hope and a sense of security to those who need it most,” Brandon Allison, AVP of Training, Education and Community Outreach at Gesa Credit Union, wrote in the announcement. “Hunger is a devastating issue that affects many across our region, which is why we are committed to spreading awareness and ensuring our efforts reach more people each year. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside our partners, one meal at a time.”

Second Harvest is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to 250 partner food banks, meal sites and other programs across Eastern Washington and North Idaho that help feed more than 55,000 people each week. Every day, Second Harvest provides food for almost 80,000 meals to people facing hunger in the region. 

“We’re grateful to Gesa Credit Union for once again stepping up as our Hunger Action Month sponsor, demonstrating profound commitment to alleviating hunger in our community while activating more people in creating impact,” wrote Drew Meuer, president of Second Harvest. Their support amplifies our efforts, ensuring that people facing hunger receive the nourishment they need.”

Food Lifeline is a nonprofit organization that distributes more than 72 million pounds of food annually, providing the equivalent of 164,000 meals every day across Western Washington, according to the announcement. The organization partners with 300 agency partners to serve nutritious food to 1.6 million-plus people facing hunger in the region each year.

"Food Lifeline is committed to ensuring that people in Western Washington have adequate access to nutritious food while investing in long-term solutions to end hunger and its root causes, but we can’t do it alone. During Hunger Action Month, food banks across the US are encouraging communities to take one million actions together against hunger,” Food Lifeline CEO Robert Ojeda wrote. “With the support of our Hunger Action Month partner, Gesa Credit Union, we will be inviting our communities across Washington to take action. Those actions help to provide the resources Food Lifeline needs to distribute nutritious and culturally relevant food, strengthen our network of partners, and build a robust local food economy and regional food system. This year, we served 1,603,571 clients, we are supporting community-led projects through our Community Food Sovereignty Fund, sourcing food from BIPOC farmers, advancing impactful policies, and investing in the development of local leaders.”

To learn more about Second Harvest, visit 2-harvest.org. For more information about Food Lifeline, visit their website foodlifeline.org. For more information about Gesa Credit Union’s involvement in the community, visit www.gesa.com/community.