When MSU Federal Credit Union wrapped up its spring 2026 Social at 311 series, the numbers told a pretty clear story: people are hungry for real, face-to-face community connections.
And maybe some really good jollof rice.
The three-event series pulled in 240 attendees—literally double the crowd from fall’s lineup. Not too shabby for a credit union that could’ve just stuck with the usual “come check out our checking accounts” approach.
More Than Your Average Networking Event
Here’s what made these gatherings work: MSUFCU members could bring non-member friends along, turning each event into an actual social occasion rather than a thinly veiled sales pitch. Each evening served up a mix of experiences designed to showcase what makes the local community tick.
The formula included:
- Full dinner spreads and drinks paired with live music from local artists
- Hands-on activities led by 13 different local businesses
- Parting gifts for every guest (because who doesn’t love taking something home?)
MSUFCU also set up resource tables at each event, giving attendees an easy, low-pressure way to learn about financial products if they were interested. No hard sell required.
“The Social at 311 is about building community,” explained Arianna Ridderbusch, Vice President of Community Impact at MSUFCU. “By opening our downtown East Lansing building to hands-on activities and collaborating with local artists, musicians, and small businesses, we are creating welcoming experiences that allow members to connect and discover what makes our community special.”
What Went Down at Each Event
March: Crochet Night
Attendees learned to crochet with materials from Woven Art Yarn Shop while enjoying dinner by Beggar’s Banquet and mocktails from American Fifth Spirits. The Lansing Symphony Orchestra provided the soundtrack, and everyone took home candles from Sapo de Solis. Not your grandma’s crochet circle.
April: Bouquet Building
Sparrow Bloom supplied the flowers for DIY bouquet making. Beggar’s Banquet handled dinner again, American Fifth Spirits mixed up mocktails, and MSU Dairy Store brought ice cream (because why not?). Cellist Stefan Koch performed, and guests left with cutting shears courtesy of Foresight Group—actually useful if you planned to keep those flowers alive.
May: Progressive Food Tour
The finale ditched the sit-down format for a walking food tour hitting five local spots: Jollof Afro Lounge for Caribbean flavors, SmokeShow BBQ for American barbecue, Social Sloth Café for Turkish cuisine, The People’s Kitchen for comfort food, and Groovy Donuts for something sweet. American Fifth Spirits provided refreshments throughout. King Trivia kept brains engaged between bites, while violinists Linnea Geenan and Ian Aegerter supplied the ambiance.
The Bigger Picture
Doubling attendance isn’t just a win for event metrics. It signals that there’s genuine appetite for community-focused experiences that bring people together without an agenda beyond, well, bringing people together. When a financial institution can create space for crochet lessons, bouquet making, and jollof rice tastings while naturally weaving in their services, everybody wins—especially the local businesses getting exposure and the attendees discovering new favorites in their own backyard.
Related:
MSUFCU Celebrates The Culture of Finances Winter Graduates
A Quarter Century of Jazz: How MSUFCU’s Blue Mondays Became a Local Legend