PONCHATOULA, LA — Students in Tangipahoa 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 Tangipahoa were nominated by the community to receive supplies this year: Teresa Sheridan at Natalbany Middle School and Michelle Miller at Ponchatoula High School.
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.
“Parents and teachers 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.”
"It's wonderful to feel the love and support of the community," said Michelle Miller. "I enjoyed seeing the students' excitement to receive supplies."
Upon receiving her pirogue, Miller took what she needed and shared the rest with the other teachers in her hallway.
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.
Louisiana FCU delivered a pirogue full of school supplies to Michelle Miller at Ponchatoula High School.
Teresa Sheridan and her students at Natalbany Middle School celebrate the pirogue full of school supplies they received from Louisiana FCU.
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
