LAPLACE – Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) is launching its annual “Pack the Pirogue” by collecting school supplies to help students and teachers in the Tangipahoa, Ascension and River Parishes.

Through August 16, donations of new school supplies and other classroom materials can be placed in the colorful pirogues found at all Louisiana FCU branches. The goal is to collect enough supplies to offer five local classrooms resources needed for a successful school year. Donations help to provide learning tools to kids who couldn’t otherwise afford them, as well as teachers, who often spend money out of their own pocket to buy supplies for their classrooms.

“No family should have to choose between food and school supplies,” says Rhonda Hotard, President/CEO of Louisiana FCU. “Many schools in our own neighborhoods are in great need of basic learning materials. It’s important to our organization that we equip the young people in these communities with the tools they need to learn. We started this initiative in 2017 and every year it is truly humbling to see what a profound impact ‘Pack the Pirogue’ has on these students and their learning experience.”

The donation wish lists include basic school supplies and hygienic items like tissues and hand sanitizer. A full donation list can be found at www.louisianafcu.org/pack-the-pirogue.

Community members can nominate a classroom to receive the supplies collected during this year’s “Pack the Pirogue” drive at www.louisianafcu.org/pack-the-pirogue.

Louisiana FCU works to support youth education in southeast Louisiana through annual initiatives like the Ronald E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, a $2,000 scholarship granted to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership and altruism in the community, and “Hooray for A’s” where students are rewarded for making A’s on their report card.

About Louisiana FCU:

Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving more than 32,000 members in the River Parishes, Tangipahoa, and Ascension Parish region. For more information about the Credit Union, visit www.LouisianaFCU.org.

About Pack the Pirogue: Pack the Pirogue is Louisiana Federal Credit Union’s annual school supply drive. Each year, the organization collects new school supply donations from staff, members and the local community. Louisiana Federal Credit Union believes every child deserves the chance to start the school year with the right tools to succeed