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A unique collaboration benefits NH Food Bank

Posted On 10/13/2015
A grocers association and a credit union may seem like unlikely partners, but the nation’s first credit union and the New Hampshire Grocers Association (NHGA) have a common mission and a long history of collaboration.

The NHGA, a statewide trade association for retail food stores, has a long-time appreciation for credit unions, in particular, St. Mary’s Bank.

As a benefit to its members, the NHGA incorporated the New Hampshire Food Industry Credit Union (NHFICU) in 1974. The credit union’s purpose was to serve all individuals or companies associated with, or providing services to the state’s food industry. Membership was open to food stores, the hospitality industry and all employees.

Ronald Rioux, former President & CEO and current board member of St. Mary’s Bank played a vital role in the development of the NHFICU.

“He was instrumental to the establishment, growth, and eventual acquisition of NHFICU,” said John Dumais, former Treasurer of the NHFICU and current President & CEO of the NHGA. 
On Saturday, February 21, 1998, the NHFICU was forced out of their facility, when a smoldering fire affected the NHGA building.

“Within 24 hours, St. Mary’s Bank offered interim office space in their headquarters allowing the NHICU, to continue operations without interruption,” said Dumais. “After renovations to the damaged building were complete, St. Mary’s Bank offered excess office furniture to support reopening as soon as possible.”

The NHFICU operated for a period of time with limited resources, and at one point, struggled with staffing to continue operations.

On April 27, 2003, NHFICU received approval from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to merge with St. Mary’s Bank.

“The relationship and compatibility of the two credit unions made a difficult decision to merge much easier with the professionalism of St. Mary’s Bank,” Dumais added.

Both St. Mary’s Bank and the NHGA are committed to their members and serving the community. The two have come together again to support the New Hampshire Food Bank through the NHGA Best Bagger Competition.

On September 29, approximately 100 people gathered at the New Hampshire Food Bank to cheer on their local grocers at the annual competition to showcase the talents of the best baggers in New Hampshire.

The champion bagger receives a $250 cash prize and earns a trip to Las Vegas to compete on the national level and take home a grand prize of $10,000.
 

Pictured from left to right: John Dumais, President & CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association; Mel Gosselin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank; Judi Window, Community Outreach for St. Mary’s Bank.