Milestone highlights RCU’s enduring commitment to fighting food insecurity

Redwood Credit Union (RCU) today announced a major milestone in its long-standing partnership with the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), surpassing $1 million in total giving. With food insecurity topping the list of financial hardships in our communities, this comes at a critical time as the credit union doubles down on its efforts to address this persistent issue.

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The $1 million mark in giving to the REFB represents a major financial commitment, and RCU remains committed to ensure that no neighbor goes hungry.

While the $1 million mark represents a major financial commitment, RCU’s support extends beyond monetary donations. RCU employees volunteer over 400 hours per year at REFB’s local food distribution sites. The credit union also led an innovative Porch-to-Pantry food drive, which inspired 1,408 donors to register and contribute more than 36,000 pounds of food during the holiday season. RCU remains committed to ensuring that no neighbor goes hungry.

“Food insecurity is often the first visible sign of financial hardship,” said Brett Martinez, President and CEO of Redwood Credit Union. “When families struggle to meet basic needs like putting food on the table, it signals much broader economic challenges. At RCU, we believe stability is the foundation of financial well-being. That’s why our long-standing support of Redwood Empire Food Bank is so important—it helps ensure people have what they need today, so they can build a stronger, more secure future.”

The relationship between the two organizations has historically focused on sustainable solutions to hunger, with $1 million in RCU donations supporting REFB’s distribution network, which serves thousands across Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and other Northern California counties. In 2025 alone, RCU’s financial giving to REFB combined with 402 hours of volunteer time equated to 282,038 meals provided to the community.

"We are incredibly grateful for the enduring support of Redwood Credit Union,” said Allison Goodwin, President and CEO of the Redwood Empire Food Bank. "Reaching the $1 million mark is a testament to RCU’s dedication to our mission, as are the volunteer hours and community advocacy that help us lift the hopes of those most in need."

For nearly four decades, the Redwood Empire Food Bank has served as the region’s largest hunger‑relief organization, nourishing over 135,000 neighbors across five North Coast counties. With hundreds of monthly distribution programs and a strong network of community partners, REFB ensures anyone experiencing hunger can access healthy food all year long.

About Redwood Credit Union

Founded in 1950, Redwood Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution providing personal and business banking to consumers and businesses in the North Bay and San Francisco. With a mission to passionately serve the best interests of its members, team members, and communities, RCU delivers many ways for its members to save and build money through checking and savings accounts, auto and home loans, credit cards, digital banking, business services, commercial and SBA lending, and more. Wealth management and investment services are available through Redwood Wealth Management, and insurance and auto-purchasing services are also offered through RCU Services Group (RCU’s wholly owned subsidiary). RCU has more than $9.76 billion in assets and serves more than 525,000 members with full-service branches from San Francisco to Ukiah. For more information, call 1 (800) 479-7928, visit redwoodcu.org, or follow RCU on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn for news and updates.

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"Our long-standing support of Redwood Empire Food Bank is important because it helps ensure people have what they need today, so they can build a stronger, more secure future.” -Brett Martinez