OTIS FCU Raises and Distributes $7,195.22 to Five Local Food Pantries to Help End Hunger in Maine
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2018
OTIS FCU Raises and Distributes $7,195.22 to Five Local Food Pantries to Help End Hunger in Maine
JAY, Maine – Over the course of the 2017 calendar year, OTIS Federal Credit Union raised a total of $6,755.22 for the cause of Ending Hunger. Fundraisers undertaken by the Credit Union included two 50/50 raffles, a Longaberger Calendar Raffle, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day raffles, and a planter raffle. OTIS participated in four statewide raffles to benefit Ending Hunger as well.
Additional funds for Ending Hunger were raised via two book sales, a yard sale, and OTIS FCU’s sale of handmade bowl warmers, handmade potholders, grocery totes, and movie passes. A $5.00 donation was also made from every $25.00 Skip-A-Payment fee assessed on loans.
Due to its fundraising efforts, OTIS FCU was able to place in the Top 25 of Credit Unions in the state for both total donations raised and its amount-per-member donation average. Those credit unions which place in the Top 25 in either category statewide then receive additional reward grants from the Maine Credit Union League. As a result of these grants, the total raised by OTIS was bumped to $7,195.22, which was then divided equally five ways and disbursed to the following local food pantries: the Tri-Town Ministerial Association Food Cupboard, the Wilton Area Food Pantry, the Care & Share Food Pantry, the Spruce Mountain Primary School Food Pantry, and the Turner Food Pantry. Co-Chairs of the Ending Hunger Committee at OTIS, Ben Roberts (Compliance Officer & Training Specialist) and Darice Dubreuil (Vice President of Lending), were responsible for distributing the funds raised.
Each year, nearly all of Maine’s credit unions–including OTIS Federal Credit Union–participate in the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. All funds raised stay within their respective communities, disbursed to local food pantries by the credit unions that raise them.
Maine credit unions raised a record $740,027.35 for the year 2017, breaking the previous record set for the 22nd consecutive year. Since 1990, the year that this collective effort began, Maine’s credit unions have raised and distributed more than $8 million to help end hunger in Maine.
L to R: Darice Dubreuil, Vice President of Lending; representatives from Spruce Mountain Primary School Food Pantry; and Ben Roberts, Compliance Officer & Training Specialist. 
L to R: Ben Roberts, Compliance Officer & Training Specialist; representatives from Turner Food Pantry; and Darice Dubreuil, Vice President of Lending. 
L to R: Ben Roberts, Compliance Officer & Training Specialist; representative from Wilton Area Food Pantry. 
L to R: Ben Roberts, Compliance Officer & Training Specialist; representative from Care and Share Food Closet. 
L to R: Ben Roberts, Compliance Officer & Training Specialist; representative from Tri-Town Ministerial Food Pantry.
Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries to Sarah Hayes at (207) 320-4985 or email SarahH@otisfcu.coop
About the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger
Participating credit unions raise funds for the Campaign at various times throughout the year. However, the primary period of fundraising is in the fall from September – December.
All money raised is distributed to hunger organizations and food pantries throughout Maine.
One hundred percent of all of the money raised by credit unions stays in Maine and goes directly to the cause of ending hunger. All administrative costs are covered by the Maine CU League’s Social Responsibility Committee.
The month of November is designated as ending hunger month in Maine and Maine’s credit unions are usually involved in a variety of food drives and fundraising activities for ending hunger.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Campaign, please visit OTIS FCU, or mail a contribution and make checks payable to:
Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger
ATTN: 2017 Campaign
PO Box 1236
Portland ME 04104
About OTIS Federal Credit Union
OTIS Federal Credit Union was founded in April of 1954 by eleven local millworkers. Pooling their respective deposits of $5 each, they associated themselves as charter members of OTIS under the provision of the Federal Credit Union Act. At a time in America when obtaining a loan was difficult for the average family, the founders of OTIS sought to form a cooperative, independent financial institution operated and controlled solely by its local membership.
Since its inception, OTIS has been committed not only to providing quality financial products and services to its shareholders, but to giving back to the community. Today, OTIS is a full-service financial center offering real estate, auto, and personal lending; online and mobile banking; a variety of checking, savings, and investment accounts; VISA debit and credit cards; financial planning; and much more. OTIS serves more than 10,839 members and holds over $159 million in assets, employing 26 people from Jay and the surrounding area. The Credit Union is located at 170 Main Street in Jay, Maine. For more information, please visit www.otisfcu.coop or call (207) 897-0900.
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