Community Involvement
Brandi's Book Drive
Reading is essential and it's important that every child have access to books to encourage reading and learning. During the summer, Essential partnered with WBRZ's Brandi Harris for the second consecutive year to collect new and gently used books for children, grades K-8, in the Greater Baton Rouge area. The community was invited to drop off books at any Essential branch. Essential also hosted a Drive-thru Drop-off event at its Towne Center Operations Center. The event collected hundreds of books and all donors received swag bags and free frozen yogurt. In all, over 12,000 books were collected for local children!
Sylvia's Toys for Christmas
For the fourth year, Essential sponsored Sylvia's Toys for Christmas to help Santa reach every kid possible. Members, employees and others from the community dropped toys off at Essential Branches as well as the special Drive-Thru Toy Drive event Essential hosted at it's Operations Center.
The hundreds of toys collected were sorted by age and gender, then wrapped and distributed by Saint Vincent de Paul to children in our community.
Monetary funds are collected year-round and go directly to Saint Vincent de Paul.
Food for Fall Food Drive
Essential Credit Union has emerged as a key player in supporting the WAFB Food for Fall Food Drive, demonostrating a steadfast commitment to community welfare. Through comprehensive involvement and sponsorship, Essential has not only collected food items at all its branch locations, but has also played a pivotal role in the drop-off event hosted at Hi Nabor Grocery Store.
Essential's involvement in the food drive extends beyond the financial realm. By encouraging its members to contribute non-perishable food items and volunteerism from its employers, the credit union ebraces a holistic approach to community engagement. This not only strengthens its ties with members but also demostrates a commitment to addressing societal challenges beyond traditional banking services.
Dog Days of Summer
For 5 years now, we have joined Josh Euchus, and Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge to bring help to furry friends in our area. During this event, special dogs in need of a home are featured on WBRZ for adoption through FOTABR.
Essential helps by:
- Collecting dog items needed at all branches
- Employees volunteer at FOTABR adoption days
- Sharing foster dogs to its social media
Arts Council of GBR MPAC
January 20, 2022, Essential sponsored of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’s MPAC and the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center grand opening. It was a wonderful event at a truly unique community art space. Learn more about this new 12,000 square foot creative space by visiting www.artsbr.org/cscac.
Lift Up Louisiana
Essential partnered with WAFB to Lift Up Louisiana and helped restore the community after Hurricane Ida.
Here's how we helped:
- Hosted a blood drive
- Collected non-perishable food items at all branch locations
- Highlighted ways to donate to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank within the branches and online
During devastating times, you can count on Essential to come together to help our community.