Helping to Build Stronger Communities!
Penn State Federal is more than finances...we're about helping to make a difference in our local communities. The Credit Union philosophy of "people helping people" inspires us everyday to be involved. We strive to give back by sponsoring local nonprofits and volunteering -- it's our commitment to helping to make lives better.
Pictured from left to right: Scott Mitchell, President/CEO of the YMCA of Centre County; Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union; Mel Curtis, Anti-Hunger Program Director of the YMCA of Centre County.
PENN STATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
HELPS FIGHT HUNGER WITH THE
YMCA OF CENTRE COUNTY
Bellefonte, PA (May 2025) -- Penn State Federal Credit Union donated $20,000 to the YMCA of Centre County's Backpack Program – a service for children and families struggling with food insecurity. The program, which was started in November of 2014 in one school district, now serves eight local school districts. Each week during the school year, backpacks full of food are distributed to more than 1,300 local children.
Aside from oversight and food ordering, the program is run mostly by volunteers who pack the backpacks and deliver them to the schools. Each Friday afternoon during the school year, participating students receive a backpack containing meals and snacks to take home with them for the weekend. On Monday, they return their empty backpack to the school so it can be refilled for the following weekend.
"The Penn State Federal family is pleased to be a part of the Backpack Program again this school year. As a not-for-profit financial institution it is our mission to give back to the community. And a child fed for the weekend is a success story. Thank you to the YMCA for being there for the kids!" said Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union.
Mel Curtis, Director of the Y's Anti-Hunger Programs says, "The Penn State Federal Credit Union's continued financial support is extremely important to the success and sustainability of the Backpack Program. Their donation to support this program has made a major impact in many children's lives so they have food for the weekend. Their passion to help others is greatly appreciated and very sincere because they recognize that no child should ever go hungry!"
No child is turned away from the opportunity to participate in the Backpack Program. Parents may receive more information about enrolling their child/children by contacting their child's school. The program serves Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley, State College and West Branch Area School Districts. You may also visit www.ymcaocc.org for more information.
Pictured from left to right: Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union; Cindy Kolarik, Executive Director of The Jared Box Project.
Penn State Federal Credit Union Spreads Good Cheer to Children in the Hospital
State College, PA – April 2025 – Penn State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) has donated $1,000 to The Jared Box Project. PSFCU has a long history of supporting nonprofits focused on bettering the lives of our community members. Each Jared Box contains toys, games, crayons, coloring books, and other engaging activities designed to lift the spirits of young patients.
Founded in State College, Pennsylvania, The Jared Box Project has grown to a nationwide initiative, with over one million boxes delivered to children in all 50 states. The recent donation from PSFCU will help provide Jared Boxes to local healthcare facilities including Mount Nittany Health, Penn Highlands State College, Geisinger Surgical Center, MED Express and Centre Volunteers in Medicine.
"The Penn State Federal family is happy to partner with The Jared Box Project," said Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union. "Our donation will help support the everyday efforts of the project. It's a wonderful feeling to know that the boxes will be part of lifting a child's spirits during a hospital stay or treatment."
Cindy Kolarik, Executive Director of The Jared Box Project, expressed her gratitude: "We are so very thankful for the generous support of PSFCU. They have been supporters for years! This generous donation allows us to continue to make Jared Boxes for children in our local medical facilities. Neighbors helping neighbors—it doesn’t get any better than that!"
For more information or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.thejaredbox.org.