Holiday Effort pairs a $10,000 match to Local Food Banks with Black Friday weekend giving initiative.
Bay Federal Credit Union is helping local families this holiday season with a community giving campaign that includes a $10,000 donation match and a Black Friday weekend promotion benefiting food banks across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties.
Members can make a donation to any of Bay Federal’s partner food banks, and the Credit Union will match contributions dollar for dollar until the $10,000 match is reached. Donations can be made online or at any branch location.
To build even more support, Bay Federal is also introducing a special offer for Visa® credit cardholders. For every eligible local transaction made between November 28 and December 2, 2025, Bay Federal will donate $1 to the same local food banks. Everyday purchases at local businesses during this period will directly increase the total donation amount.
“We care deeply about our local community here on the Central Coast,” said Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union. “By matching donations to local food banks and encouraging members to support local businesses while doing their holiday shopping, we can work together to make a meaningful difference for households throughout our region.”
Bay Federal encourages members to give early, shop locally, and help strengthen the community’s food security during a time of increased need.
To donate online or in person:
· Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County or donate at Bay Federal’s Scotts Valley, River St, Capitola, Aptos, Watsonville, or Freedom branches.
· Food Bank For Monterey County or donate at Bay Federal’s Salinas or Marina branches.
· Community FoodBank of San Benito
With recent disruptions to federally supported food programs, local food banks are experiencing higher demand than usual, making community support more critical than ever.