Skip Menu
Gesa Credit Union and our Member Contact Center will be closed all day on [X] for [X]. Holiday HoursGesa Day of Service
×

Gesa Credit Union Partners with Food Lifeline, Second Harvest, and Clark County Food Bank for Hunger Action Month

Volunteers pass canned food into donation boxes during a Hunger Action Month food drive.

RICHLAND, Wash. (August 28, 2026) — Gesa Credit Union is partnering with Food Lifeline, Second Harvest, and Clark County Food Bank this September for Hunger Action Month, in addition to hosting food drives for non-perishable items at its branches across the Pacific Northwest. 

As the presenting sponsor, Gesa will collect monetary donations at its branches and online, and non-perishable food items at its branches, throughout September, benefiting all three organizations. Gesa’s $25,000 match applies to monetary donations made to Food Lifeline and Second Harvest. 

“Hunger often goes unseen in the communities we call home, even though it touches thousands of families right now. We’re glad to partner with these three organizations this September to help make a positive difference in peoples’ lives,” said Brandon Allison, VP of Community Impact, Gesa Credit Union. 

Hunger Action Day falls on September 29 and there are several ways to get involved. 

Clark County Food Bank partners with more than 50 nonprofit agencies across more than 200 sites to distribute over 11.7 million pounds of food each year, providing more than 9.7 million meals for individuals and families facing hunger. 

“Clark County Food Bank is grateful for Gesa Credit Union’s partnership in our mission to alleviate hunger and address its root causes,” said Rachel Beck, Director of Development for Clark County Food Bank. “With more than 160,000 people experiencing food insecurity locally, donor support, like Gesa’s, strengthens our network of nonprofit partners and helps us provide immediate food relief while creating opportunities for healthier, more resilient communities.” 

Food Lifeline partners with food banks across Western Washington, distributing more than 73 million pounds of food a year, the equivalent of more than 167,000 meals a day. Working with 315 agency partners, the organization served more than 2.3 million people facing hunger in fiscal year 2025. 

“Strong community partnerships are essential to addressing hunger, and Gesa Credit Union continues to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to providing families facing food insecurity access to the food they need,” said Ken Ryals, Chief Development Officer at Food Lifeline. “Their ongoing support strengthens our ability to serve communities across Western Washington, ensuring our network of food banks and meal programs can respond to rising needs with dignity and care. Together, we are creating lasting impact and building a stronger, more food-secure future for our neighbors.” 

 

Second Harvest is a nonprofit organization that partners with 250 food pantries and meal sites to distribute 91,000 meals per day across Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Every weekend, the organization provides meals to more than 12,000 children facing hunger in the region.  

 

“All-in partners like Gesa Credit Union serve as a catalyst for impact during Hunger Action Month,” said Chris Houglum of Second Harvest. “Thanks to Gesa, people facing hunger in the Inland Northwest have nourishment today and hope for brighter days ahead.” 

Monetary donations can be made at any Gesa branch or online, and food drive items can be dropped off at any Gesa branch, through September 30. More information about Gesa’s community involvement is available at gesa.com/community. 

Volunteers pass canned food into donation boxes during a Hunger Action Month food drive.

Gesa in the News

Let’s get in touch

Have questions or inquiries about our involvement in communities across the Pacific Northwest?

We have upgraded to a new account opening process. Click Get Started to continue.

Getting started is easy!

Applying should only take a few minutes. Please have these documents ready:

Call (888) 946-4372 or apply at a branch

Already a member?

Use your online banking log-in to pre-fill your application with saved information.

You can easily change your debit card through our affinity form.

Notes & Fees Glossary

Disclaimer
SmartPlus Checking[APY]

Minimum opening balance of $25 required if the account is opened online.

In order to earn APY and receive unlimited domestic ATM fee refunds, you must meet the following requirements during each monthly qualifying period: provide and maintain valid email address, apply for and use your Visa debit card to make 15 debit card transactions that post and settle to your account, have at least one direct deposit of $200 or more post to your account, and enroll to receive eStatements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY will apply to the entire balance.

Dividends on a SmartPlus Checking account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. ATM fees of $4.99 or less will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $4.99 per individual transaction. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to open or maintain account unless opened online. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Limit of one SmartPlus Checking account per member. APY is accurate as of , the last dividend declaration date.
A7KD4W9LQXZT
Smart Checking*There is a minimum opening balance requirement of $25.00 if the account is opened online.
Regular users of Gesa’s electronic services may want to consider SmartPlus Checking for additional benefits.
[Courtesy Pay]
M3VY82CNRLKP
Student Checking[APY]

Dividends on Student Checking Accounts are calculated using the daily balance method and will be credited to the member’s account every month. Rate may change after the account is opened. If you close your account before dividends are paid, you will not receive the accrued dividends. The minimum balance to open an account is $5.00, the par value of a share. Courtesy Pay is not offered on Student Checking Accounts. Only electronic transactions such as debit card or ACH transactions are permitted. Fees could reduce earnings on the accounts.
JXZ7V5MWLQ92
Smartplus Savings[APY]

In order to earn a high dividend rate, you must meet the following requirements during the qualifying monthly period: a) provide and maintain a valid email address; and b) be enrolled to receive e-statements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY would apply to the entire balance.

Dividends on an SmartPlus Savings Account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings. Limited to one SmartPlus Savings account per member.
P9T6QF2XJBLC
Smart Savings[APY]

Dividends on Smart Savings are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. Rate may change after the account is opened. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.
Y4MKZ3WVTPQ8
High-Yield Savings[APY]

Dividends on the High Yield Savings account are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings.
NDLXQ98R5VTE
Money Market[APY]

Dividends for the Money Market Account are calculated using the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. You must maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,500.00 in your account each day to obtain the disclosed annual percentage yield. The minimum balance required to open this account is $2,500.00. There is a minimum average daily balance of $2,500.00 required to avoid a service fee for the calendar month. If the minimum average daily balance requirement is not met, you will be charged a service fee as stated in the Consumer Fee Schedule. New rates are set on the first of each month; rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.
GQ37ZVKY1WLM
Fixed Certificate[APY]

A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart.

Early withdrawal penalties apply (a penalty may be imposed for withdrawals before maturity):

If your account has an original maturity (term) of less than 12-months: The penalty will equal 90 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty.

If your account has an original maturity (term) of 12-months or more – up to, but less than 36-months: The penalty will equal 180 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty.

If your account has an original maturity of 36-months or more – up to, but less than 48-months: The penalty will equal 365 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty.

If your account has an original maturity of 48-months or greater: The penalty will equal 540 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty.

In certain circumstances such as the death or incompetence of an owner of this account, the law permits, or in some cases requires, the waiver of the early withdrawal penalty. For any account which earns an interest rate that may vary during the term such as a bump certificate, the interest rate we will use to calculate this early withdrawal penalty will be the interest rate in effect at the time of the withdrawal. You may make withdrawals of principal from your account before maturity. In making such withdrawals, your balance may not fall below the minimum or we will close your account. Principal withdrawn before maturity is included in the amount subject to early withdrawal penalty. You can withdraw interest only on the crediting dates without penalty.

A $500 minimum deposit is required for consumer, IRA, and business certificates. Early withdrawal penalties may apply and may reduce earnings. Certificate rate is for a limited time only and could end at any time. Stated rate as of the first day of the month.
H85PLKJXZ2QM
Bump Certificate[APY]

A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart.

The Certificate owner must contact Gesa Credit Union to request the one-time rate increase on Bump Certificate accounts. The rate on the Bump Certificate will be changed on the following business day of the date Gesa Credit Union receives the request. The bump option can only be exercised once during the term of the Certificate and does not increase the term of the certificate. The new interest will not be applied retroactively. The new interest rate will be the interest rate we are then offering on regular certificates (non- bump rate certificates) that have the same term and minimum balance. Bump Certificates are only available for consumer and IRA Certificates. Early withdrawal penalties will apply. Minimum deposit balance must be maintained to earn APY and fees may reduce earnings on the account. Special offer for a limited time only.
RXNQ72MLYV9C

* * * * *