Tagged: harvest
CENTER PARC TO HOST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR HORIZONS SAVANNAH
Youth-focused charity’s Giving Day 2023 will be held May 10
(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union will be hosting a free Business Lunch and Learn Event in support of Horizons Giving Day on May 10th at noon at the Flagship Branch located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road. Box lunches will be provided. Community members can learn more about Horizons and the upcoming Horizons Giving Day.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHnCIe5A7jWEEM-Wd0wolvc_W_3Pzce3OwG8v5CBb3JXaGWQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Horizons Savannah collaborates with families and the community in its efforts to support Savannah-area youth. The yearly fundraiser is designed to help “close the gap” for under-resourced students over summer break. Funds raised during Giving Day 2023 will support a summer program, featuring engaging academics, social-emotional learning and swim lessons for every child, as well as continued engagement with Horizons Savannah students throughout the year.
A division of Atlanta Postal Credit Union, Center Parc Credit Union’s mission includes “helping our members achieve financial success by providing exceptional products.”
Center Parc Marketing Growth Specialist Regina Pointer said, “I believe Horizons is all about teaching young students how to make good decisions, which can lead to success. So we are both making a positive difference in the Savannah community that will have a far reaching effect in the short and long term. Center Parc’s collaboration with Horizon also will extend to offering the youth in their summer program financial workshops. At the end of the day we are both ‘people helping people.’”
The 2022 summer program saw the group’s first Experiential Learning Week where students took part in a week of experience-based learning at off-campus locations. Topics of interest included culinary arts, the environment and history. This Lunch and Learn is an opportunity to get to know Horizons and how the organization supports the growing need for youth engagement and addresses educational equity in the Savannah area.
The local event is an offshoot of Horizons National’s Giving Day 2023.
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The new free-standing flagship branch is located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road at the Berwick Marketplace. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
ABOUT HORIZONS SAVANNAH
Horizons Savannah’s mission is to partner with youth, families and the community to enrich the lives of students with the joy of learning, the skills for success and the inspiration to realize their dreams. The 6-week summer program features high quality academics, social and emotional learning, and swim lessons. Horizons serves 300 income-qualified students from public schools through summer and year-round programs at the host campuses of Savannah Country Day School, St. Andrew’s School, Bethesda Academy and Savannah Christian Preparatory School. For more information visit www.horizonssavannah.org, call 912-961-8854 or see Horizons on social media @horizonssav
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
(912) 844-9990
Center Parc Credit Union works with Junior Achievement to connect Savannah High students’ education to careers
(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union has partnered with 3DE Junior Achievement to teach Savannah High School sophomores about problem-solving in the context of a financial institution – and to help them present during the Chase Challenge Presentation held on Oct. 19.
Savannah High students: Christiana Roberts, ShaNiya McNair, Destiny Frazier, Keshauna Gusby and Regina Pointer, Savannah marketing growth specialist at Center Parc Credit Union
3DE Junior Achievement partners with national and local businesses to introduce the case method approaches to public high schools, enabling students to connect their education with real life scenarios. Over a five-week span, students work in teams to craft a solution to an actual problem faced by a partner company such as Center Parc.
“We presented the students with a case challenge on cultural agility,” said Regina Pointer, Savannah marketing growth specialist for Center Parc. “We asked them a question that we work on every day: how can we attract younger members to the credit union? It’s a chance for them to learn from us – and for us to learn from them!”
During the first part of the learning process, Center Parc financial experts acted as coaches for the participating students, bringing their relevant problem-solving techniques to the student teams. On Oct. 19, those same experts served as judges during the competition.
Teams researched their cases and developed their unique solution to the question into a formal presentation. Judges from Center Parc evaluated and provided feedback on each presentation and ultimately selected the winning team.
The winning team members were Keshauna Gusby, Christiana Roberts, Destiny Frazier and ShaNiya McNair.
“We are excited to see what our students figured out with the help of Center Parc Credit Union,” said Shybria Moore, 3DE Junior Achievement director. “Partnerships like this allow our students insights into real-life problem-solving skills and give them the confidence they need to enter the workforce We couldn’t be fore thankful for the credit union’s time and energy!”
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the state of Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The new financial flagship office is now open in Berkwick Market Place. An ongoing community gardens program was launched in August 2020. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
CONTACT
Regina Pointer, Savannah Marketing Growth Specialist
Center Parc Credit Union
5698-A Ogeechee Road
Savannah, GA 31405
rpointer@centerparc.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young, President
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Healthy Savannah’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant-funded programs are addressing food insecurity issues.
(SAVANNAH, GA) Young children need fruits and vegetables daily to support healthy growth and brain development but a new study has found 1 in 2 Georgia children don’t eat a vegetable daily and 1 in 3 don’t eat a fruit daily.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the results of a 2021 study, “Fruit, Vegetable, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Young Children, by State.” [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7207a1.htm?s_cid=mm7207a1_w] The data indicates the importance of and need for interventions at both the national and state levels that improve young children’s nutrition to support their optimal growth and brain development.
The CDC study cites the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommends that children eat fruits and vegetables each day, and limit sugar sweetened beverages. However, it also found that many young children between ages 1 and 5 years are not eating fruits and vegetables each day and are regularly drinking sugary beverages.
“Two-thirds of Chatham County children 2-5 years of age consume more than the recommended amount of sugar daily and 73% of food advertisements use familiar characters to target children,” said Paula Kreissler, executive director of Healthy Savannah. Kreissler has been at the forefront of a “healthy checkout” initiative to encourage local grocery stores to place healthy items at the registers instead of sugary snacks.
“Moreover, 17.6% of all Savannahians are food insecure and 21.8% of our children are food insecure,” Kreissler said. “Food insecurity is more than lack of access, it’s about being able to find fresh fruits and vegetables near where you live. Improving access to healthy foods is one of Healthy Savannah’s top initiatives through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant.”
The five-year, $3.4 million REACH grant is administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. The grant was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018 with funding deployed in an “upstream” approach by the Savannah/Chatham County project team to foster sustainable health equity among Black residents in low-wealth neighborhoods.
Healthy Savannah has also conducted community surveys since 2014, asking residents in priority neighborhoods about their access to healthy food options among other lifestyle topics.
Respondents in 2020 said they wanted more fresh produce at neighborhood stores. In the 2022 survey, participants indicated a general increase in healthy food purchases and the use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
The 2022 survey also showed that Forsyth Farmers’ Market (FFM) continues to be a leading resource of fresh food in Savannah /Chatham County. A majority of respondents (66%) had heard about or used the market and (53%) currently purchase healthy foods at FFM, up 20% from 2019. A quarter (26%) had purchased food from FFM’s Farm Truck 912 and three quarters (75%) desired to do so.
“We’re encouraged that people are becoming more familiar with resources like the Forsyth Farmers’ Market and Farm Truck 912, the latter being supported by the REACH grant,” said Kreissler. “The grant has also fueled the expansion of Healthy Savannah’s Corner Store Initiative and the Y’s Fresh Express program.”
An initiative of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, in partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, the Fresh Express program was launched in 2016 to serve neighborhoods with low access to fresh food.
“In 2022, Fresh Express distributed 9142 pounds of fresh produce to 2028 households in Savannah,” said Ruby Castro, Nutrition Program manager for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant. “The monthly event is now serving three permanent sites at Curtis V Cooper and Moses Jackson community centers every third Friday and Waters Ave & 40th St every first Friday.”
12 local stores are also now participating in the Corner Store Initiative which launched in 2019 to make healthy food choices the easy choice in small retail stores that are often the only source of food in some of Savannah’s low-wealth neighborhoods.
“The CDC study [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7207a1.htm?s_cid=mm7207a1_w] is intended to renew a national focus on nutrition, hunger, and health and the call to improve food and nutrition security,” said Kreissler. “It provides information that decision makers and practitioners need to help ensure children have an opportunity for their healthiest start. We’re already seeing how programs and policies that promote access to healthy food are making a positive difference right here in Savannah.”
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA/HEALTHY SAVANNAH GRANT FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH: In September 2018, Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million grant called Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health. Awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the funding is being deployed in an “upstream” approach by the Savannah/Chatham County project team to foster sustainable health equity among Black residents in low-wealth neighborhoods. The aim of the local project, called Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity, or HOPE, is to increase the availability of high-quality nutrition; promote physical activity through creating greater access to safe places to walk, run, bike and play; and foster stronger connections between people and the healthcare providers who serve them. Working with more than 200 community partners and organizations, the team is committed to elevating the health and wellness of the community through policy, systems, and environmental change. In July 2022, Healthy Savannah received the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals and entities whose work has contributed to advancing health equity.
healthysavannah.org ymcaofcoastalga.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Center Parc Credit Union co-sponsors Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Conference helps to help new homeowners secure financial futures
(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union hosted the inaugural Habitat for Humanity Forever Family Conference at its Flagship Branch at Berwick Market in Savannah this past Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The event, which Center Parc co-sponsored with CareSource, helped homeowners secure long-term financial success.
“Our mission here at Habitat is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope,” said Zerik Samples, CEO of Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity. “That is what we accomplished at this conference. We connected our homeowners with the necessary resources and training from community professionals to help prepare them for their futures as homeowners and potential investors.”
Samples also thanked Center Parc Credit Union for hosting the event and having some of its employees serve as instructors.
This year’s event comprised workshops on relevant topics, such as
– “Why Budgeting is Important, 21 Simple Tips that Make Budgeting Easy,” presented by Regina Pointer Marketing Growth Specialist, Center Parc Credit Union
– “Basic Home Maintenance,” presented by Samuel Pointer, Pastor, Bethel Apostolic Church Savannah
– “Life Planning,” presented by Moya Campbell, vice president, Lighthouse Financial Group
– “Understanding Generational Wealth,” presented by LaWanda Johnson Allen, real estate broker, The Allen Real Estate Group
“We are proud to have hosted a program whose themes fit so well with our mission,” said Center Parc’s Regina Pointer. “This program was designed to be a benefit to the attendees and the larger community as well.
“For most people, owning a home is how they fulfill their American dream. Being financially savvy helps people plan for the future. It gives them a measure of security. Stability in homeownership creates stability in communities.”
Center Parc donated the conference room for the event and co-sponsored with CareSource.
ABOUT COASTAL EMPIRE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
As an affordable homeownership ministry, Habitat for Humanity is committed to partnering with low-income, working families. Habitat helps deserving families realize their dream of owning quality, affordable, energy-efficient homes in safe, revitalizing neighborhoods in Chatham County. The organization brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. As one of 1,600 affiliates in the US and part of Habitat for Humanity International, which is active in 70 countries worldwide, Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity addresses the need for safe and affordable shelter both locally and around the world. https://www.habitatsavannah.org
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The new free-standing flagship branch is located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road at the Berwick Marketplace. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
912.844.9990
Fresh Express Expands to Three Permanent Locations for Healthy Food Choices
(SAVANNAH, GA) The Fresh Express no-cost fresh food distribution program has expanded to a third permanent site.
Located at the intersection of East 40th Street and Waters Avenue, the site provides food on the first Friday of each month. The two other locations — the Curtis V. Cooper Family Health at 106 E. Broad St., and the Moses Jackson Center at 1410 Richards St. — distribute on third Fridays. All begin at 9:30 a.m. on the day of distribution.
The new site started as a pop-up location but was made permanent due to demand.
“At each site, we usually have around 25 households that come to pick up produce, but turnout at Waters and 40th often surpasses that average,” said Laura Schmarkey, association outreach program director. “For example, in June we served 34 households there.”
An initiative of the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, in partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Fresh Express launched in 2016 to serve neighborhoods with low access to fresh food. The monthly event expanded to its second and now third permanent sites with the support of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant funding awarded to Healthy Savannah and the Y through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Schmarkey says while demand helped drive the decision to make the new location permanent, it was made possible through the efforts of the volunteers who staff each site and make each day successful.
“One of our site volunteers told us about a young lady who consistently wanted lemons, specifically as a remedy during the pandemic to make hot lemon water,” said Schmarkey. “So our staff and volunteers always made sure to gather some lemons for this lady and her elderly mother when stocking up before distribution day.”
On the first and third Fridays of each month, the volunteers and staff members distribute an average of 750 pounds of fresh produce and bread to neighbors in need. Each family can fill two bags full of fresh foods to take home each month at no cost to them.
“We shop the Second Harvest’s selection on the day of distribution so every time there is something different, but we like to lean towards having an even mix of fruits and veggies,” Schmarkey said.
“We love selecting mixed greens and salad kits and staples like potatoes and onions. We try to always find what we call ‘walkable food,’ such as apples, peaches, plums, and bananas for our community members who don’t necessarily have a kitchen or a home. We also distribute bread and often have surprise items like pumpkins, mini evergreen trees, water, and sunscreen.”
According to a 2020 study from Feeding America, 17.1% of Chatham County residents are considered food insecure. Additionally, 21.8% of the children in Chatham County are food insecure.
“Since the launch of Fresh Express we have been able to put more than 60,000 pounds of fresh food back into the community to serve neighbors in need,” Schmarkey said. “The Y is proud to serve our community with our partners at Second Harvest and United Way, along with support from the REACH grant, to provide this monthly produce distribution program that aims to provide access to fresh fruits, vegetables and bread in neighborhoods with insecure access to healthy foods.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at one of the Fresh Express sites can sign up by emailing Schmarkey at laura.schmarkey@ymcaofcoastalga.org or calling 912-354-5480.
For more information on volunteering, visit https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/Volunteer or https://www.unitedwayvolunteers.org/ Learn more about the Fresh Express program and see the schedule of upcoming distribution dates at https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/freshexpress.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA/HEALTHY SAVANNAH GRANT FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH: In September 2018, Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million grant called Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health. Awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the funding is being deployed in an “upstream” approach by the Savannah/Chatham County project team to foster sustainable health equity among Black residents in low-wealth neighborhoods. The aim of the local project, called Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity, or HOPE, is to increase the availability of high-quality nutrition; promote physical activity through creating greater access to safe places to walk, run, bike and play; and foster stronger connections between people and the healthcare providers who serve them. Working with more than 200 community partners and organizations, the team is committed to elevating the health and wellness of the community through policy, systems, and environmental change. In July 2022, Healthy Savannah received the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals and entities whose work has contributed to advancing health equity.healthysavannah.org ymcaofcoastalga.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Center Parc Credit Union Cuts Ribbon on New Flagship Center
(SAVANNAH, GA) A collection of community leaders gathered to help Center Parc Credit Union officials and members celebrate the ribbon-cutting of its flagship financial center at 5698-A Ogeechee Road on Friday, Nov. 4.
While the new branch stands in unincorporated Savannah, both Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson and Pooler Mayor Rebecca Benton attended the ribbon cutting to show support of the members who are served by Center Parc in both cities.
Savannah Flagship Branch Manager Emily Hopper, Marketing Growth Specialist Regina Pointer,
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, II, Interim Vice President of Savannah State University Shalonda
Mullgrav, Savannah Superintendent M. Ann Levett, Pooler Mayor Rebecca Benton, Center Parc CEO Charles M. Head, Center Parc President Blake Graham, Center Parc Board of Directors Chairman Charles “David” Disharoon, Board of Directors Secretary Timothy Payne, Board of Directors Member David G. (Jabo) Patterson, Board of Directors Member Vanessa Meek, Board of Directors Member Philip “Phil” Upchurch, Tameka Moultrie Director/Member Partnerships Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Inc. and Courtney Rawlins, Executive Director of the Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
The new financial center, located in an outparcel of the Berwick Marketplace, becomes Center Parc’s first stand-alone facility in the Savannah area. Two existing branches in Chatham County are located inside the Pooler Walmart at 160 Pooler Parkway and the Savannah Walmart at 6000 Ogeechee Road.
“With this modern, purpose-built facility, we are more prepared than ever to serve our members and our community,” said Chuck Head, CEO of APCU and Center Parc Credit Union. “We invite members and potential members to come see what this member-owned financial institution can do to help them reach their financial goals.”
For his vision in helping achieve this flagship branch, Center Parc named a conference room in Head’s honor. They also honored retired COO Theresa Stonecypher by dedicating the branch’s welcome center in her name.
Since Center Parc Credit Union makes supporting the communities a priority, the new 6,200-square-foot building includes several community-oriented features. For instance, groups can use its community room for meetings without charge.
The flagship location is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Drive-up ATM and ITM services are available on a 24-hour basis. Anyone who lives or works in Chatham, Effingham, Bryan or several other counties in Georgia qualifies to become a member of Center Parc.
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest chartered credit union in the state of Georgia. In September 2020, two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The new financial flagship office is now open in Berkwick Market Place. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800.849.8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
CONTACT
Regina Pointer, Savannah Marketing Growth Specialist
Center Parc Credit Union
5698-A Ogeechee Road
Savannah, GA 31405
rpointer@centerparc.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young, President
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Center Parc Credit Union to Cut Ribbon on New Savannah-Area Flagship Center
(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting at its new Savannah-area flagship financial center, 5698-A Ogeechee Road on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 at 11 a.m.
The new comprehensive financial services center becomes Center Parc Credit Union’s first stand-alone facility in the Savannah area, as its two existing branches in the area are located inside the Pooler Walmart at 160 Pooler Parkway and the Savannah Walmart at 6000 Ogeechee Road.
Center Parc invites the community to join credit union officials, members, and invited guests as they gather at 5698-A Ogeechee Road, an outparcel of the Berwick Marketplace, to cut the ribbon on the flagship location.
Since Center Parc Credit Union makes supporting the communities it serves a priority, the new 6,200 square-foot flagship building includes several community-oriented features. For instance, groups can utilize a community room for meetings without charge. The building also
features amenities including a coffee bar and a technology station for credit union members.
The new flagship location is open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., with 24-hour drive-up ATM and ITM services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chatham, Effingham, Bryan or several other counties in Georgia can become a member of Center Parc Credit Union.
Center Parc Credit Union welcomes its members and the community to come by for a tour of the facility, information about their products and services and to get to know the friendly and professional staff.
“We are delighted with our new facility and can’t wait to share it with our members, our employees and the community at large,” said Regina Pointer, marketing growth specialist for Center Parc Credit Union.
The Redmond Group served as the primary contractor for this project and worked with many local subcontractors as part of the financial institution’s commitment to working with firms local to its service area.
Center Parc also has locations in Atlanta and is part of the CO-OP Shared Branch network, which gives members access to 5,000 credit union branches and offers surcharge-free transactions at more than 70,000 ATM locations across the U.S. For more information, call 800-849-8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org.
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The new free-standing flagship branch is located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road at the Berwick Marketplace. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8434, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
CONTACT
Regina Pointer, Savannah Marketing Growth Specialist
Center Parc Credit Union
5698-A Ogeechee Road
Savannah, GA 31405
rpointer@centerparc.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young, President
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
Homestead Harvest Giveaway Jan 30: Fighting hunger one harvest at a time. Center Parc Credit Union Sponsors Harvest Giveaway
(GARDEN CITY, GA) The Garden City Homestead Association’s community garden will share its third harvest with the community at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in a program that will include food demonstrations and education sessions. This is one of eight community gardens Center Parc Credit Union has awarded funding within the past six months.
The Garden City public is invited to share in a winter vegetable harvest that includes collards, cabbage, broccoli, and kale at the event, to be held at the garden, 4115 Second St. in Garden City. Representatives from the Garden City City Council are among those expected to attend.
Dorothy Dupree, MS, RD, LD, who is the school food nutrition coordinator and registered dietician with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, will use produce from the garden to showcase how to roast broccoli and make a kale salad.Leslie Weaver will provide healthy recipes, food safety tips and a demonstration of how to wash produce properly. Weaver is the family and consumer science agent for the University of Georgia’s Chatham County Extension program.
Belinda Baptiste, owner of Unforgettable Bakery, will be on hand to demonstrate “How Not to Kill Your Greens,” a presentation about how to keep nutrients in without sacrificing flavor.
Local families have been concerned about getting food on their tables in the past year, and have been reaching out to local organizations for help. During the first 11 months of 2020, food assistance was the top service people sought using the online health and social services network HeroHelpMe.com, with 627 searches. Another 97 searches were for Farm Truck 912’s Full Plate Program, demonstrating food security concerns undoubtedly exacerbated by COVID-19.
“Between January and November, herohelpme.com had 8,618 visits with 6,384 searches. The top five searches were for food assistance, rent and utility assistance, coronavirus help, housing and childcare,” said Ella Williamson, Director, St. Joseph’s/Candler African-American Health Center and lead developer of the Hero database.
Further illustrating community need, since its launch in 2016, the YMCA’s Fresh Express program has distributed just over 39,000 pounds of fresh food to an average of 200 people a month in Savannah. Fresh Express, a YMCA of Coastal Georgia program operating in partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, holds monthly free produce and bread distributions at two locations. The program dates to 2016, in the wake of a study that found 17.6 percent of Chatham County’s population and 21.8 percent of the county’s children are considered food-insecure. For more information, visit https://ymcaofcoastalga.org/freshexpress.
The Garden City Homestead Association garden is one of eight community gardens throughout Chatham County to which Center Parc Credit Union donated approximately $17,500 in sponsorship dollars throughout 2020. Representatives of the non-profit financial institution will be on hand for Saturday’s program. Center Parc also plans to launch its own community garden this year.
“Community gardens are becoming increasingly popular and can help communities increase their supply of fresh, healthy produce,” said Donna Williams, community development liaison for Center Parc Credit Union. “We embraced the concept even before the COVID-19 outbreak, and the pandemic has only made this project more important.”
In addition to increasing access to fresh food, community gardens beautify neighborhoods, encourage physical activity and educate the public about nutrition, Williams said.
For more information about supporting the garden as a volunteer or through donations, visit the Garden City Homestead Association Facebook page.
ABOUT CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the oldest credit union in the state of Georgia. In September 2020 two new Center Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart, 160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The company is also planning to open a free-standing flagship branch in Savannah in 2021. An ongoing community gardens program was launched in August 2020. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more information, call 800-849-8431, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at http://www.centerparc.org
CONTACT
Donna Williams
Community Development Liaison
Center Parc Credit Union
dwilliams@centerparc.org
http://www.centerparc.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
http://www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com
MY SAVANNAH™ 