LULING, LA — Students in St. Charles Parish have a fresh batch of school supplies, thanks to Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) and its Pack the Pirogue initiative.
The credit union delivered pirogues filled with 8,243 school supplies items to 11 classrooms in southeast Louisiana. The recipients were nominated by community members during Louisiana FCU’s annual Pack the Pirogue supplies drive.
Two teachers in St. Charles were nominated by the community to receive supplies this year: Kim Colley at Lakewood Elementary and Heidi Adams at G.W. Carver Early Learning Center.
With inflation driving up the price of everything, parents are thinking twice before making purchases, even with essential school supplies. According to a national survey from JLL Retail Research, more than half of families in the U.S. claimed to have cut back on school spending this year.
“Families are experiencing enough financial burden as it is,” said Rhonda Hotard, president and CEO of Louisiana FCU. “This is one small way for us to help ease the pressure.”
Like many teachers in Louisiana, Amy Gautreau often pays out of pocket to provide students with the tools they need to succeed. She said Pack the Pirogue helped save her a lot of money.
"I have not had to purchase anything for my classes since Pack the Pirogue," said Gautreau. "I was even able to share the supplies with other teachers. I am so honored Louisiana FCU did this"
Pack the Pirogue attracted a record number of classroom nominations in 2022 and received thousands of donations from the local community.
“Our members, our business partners and our staff stepped up and made the school year special for so many kids,” said Hotard.
Students at G.W. Carver Early Learning Center were thrilled by the colorful pirogues full of school supplies.
Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving more than 35,000 members in Louisiana. For more information about the credit union, visit www.LouisianaFCU.org.
Contact
Kim Bourgeois
Director of Business Development & Community Outreach
t. 985.653.1752
e. kbourgeois@LouisianaFCU.org
www.LouisianaFCU.org