United Federal Credit Union just proved that America’s favorite pastime can do more than fill stadiums.
It can fill empty stomachs and support families going through the unimaginable.
Through partnerships with two minor league teams, United turned every strikeout and stolen base this season into cold, hard cash for nonprofits. The final tally? A cool $9,000 split between organizations in Indiana and Pennsylvania that are doing serious good in their communities.
Strike Three, You’re Fed: The South Bend Story
In South Bend, Indiana, United wrapped up year two of sponsoring the South Bend Cubs’ “Strike Out Hunger” campaign. The concept is beautifully simple: every time a Cubs pitcher records a strikeout, United donates $5 to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.
This season, Cubs pitchers were absolutely dealing—they racked up 1,191 strikeouts. United took that number and rounded their donation up to $6,000 (because why not?). That brings their two-year commitment to a total of $12,000 worth of meals for families who need them most.
“Every strikeout represents something bigger than a statistic on the field,” said Jacob Alexander, United’s Senior Market Development Manager in Indiana. “It represents meals for families right here in our communities. At United, supporting the communities we serve is part of who we are, and we’re proud to continue investing in an initiative that helps children throughout Northern Indiana.”
The money goes directly to the Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, which sends elementary school kids home on weekends with nutritious food. The program targets schools where lots of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—basically, kids who might otherwise go hungry when school’s out. During the 2025-2026 school year, students across 20 schools in five Indiana counties got help through the program.
Stealing Bases, Stealing Hearts: The Pennsylvania Chapter
Meanwhile, over in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United kicked off a brand-new partnership with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for their “Bases of Hope” campaign. This time, the math was even better: $20 for every stolen base, with proceeds going to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.
The IronPigs swiped 115 bags this season, which would’ve generated $2,300. But United decided to bump that up to $3,000, because sometimes you just gotta go the extra mile for families dealing with pediatric cancer.
“Watching each stolen base contribute to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley’s donation made the season even more exciting,” said Jessica Rodriguez, District Manager at United Federal Credit Union. “Supporting our communities is a core part of United’s mission, and we’re grateful to partner with organizations that are creating a lasting impact throughout the Lehigh Valley.”
The Bigger Picture
Look, plenty of companies slap their logo on a stadium and call it community involvement. What United’s doing here is different. They’re taking the natural excitement of baseball—the moments fans are already cheering for—and giving them actual meaning beyond the game.
Every strikeout becomes a meal for a hungry kid. Every stolen base becomes hope for a family facing a child’s cancer diagnosis. It’s the kind of win-win that makes you believe sports partnerships can be about more than just brand visibility.
The baseball season might be over, but the impact keeps going. Kids in Northern Indiana will have full backpacks. Families in the Lehigh Valley will have support when they need it most. And United Federal Credit Union? They’re proving that community commitment isn’t just a talking point in a mission statement—it’s something you actually do, one pitch and one stolen base at a time.