Helping to Build Stronger Communities!
Penn State Federal is more than finances...we're about helping to make a difference in our local communities. The Credit Union philosophy of "people helping people" inspires us everyday to be involved. We strive to give back by sponsoring local nonprofits and volunteering -- it's our commitment to helping to make lives better.
Here's where we've made in impact:
The YMCA OF Centre County Anti-Hunger Backpack Program and Free Mobile Food Market
State College Food Bank
The Jared Box Project
State College and Bellefonte Little Leagues
Pink Zone and Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournaments
Paws Patio Party
Toys for Tots
First Night
Just to name a few!
The YMCA OF Centre County Anti-Hunger Backpack Program and Free Mobile Food Market
State College Food Bank
The Jared Box Project
State College and Bellefonte Little Leagues
Pink Zone and Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournaments
Paws Patio Party
Toys for Tots
First Night
Just to name a few!
Pictured from left to right: Rick Tabor, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union; Cindy Kolarik, Executive Director of The Jared Box Project.
Penn State Federal spreads good cheer
to children in the hospital
State College, PA – June 8, 2026 – Penn State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) has donated $2,000 to The Jared Box Project as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary of bringing smiles and comfort to children in hospitals and medical facilities.
PSFCU has a long history of supporting nonprofits focused on bettering the lives of community members. Each Jared Box contains toys, games, crayons, coloring books, and other engaging activities designed to lift the spirits of young patients.
Founded in State College, Pennsylvania, The Jared Box Project has grown from a local initiative into a nationally recognized nonprofit, delivering more than one million boxes to children in all 50 states over the past 25 years. The recent donation from PSFCU will help provide Jared Boxes to local healthcare facilities, including Mount Nittany Health, Penn Highlands State College, Geisinger Surgical Center, UPMC MedExpress, and Centre Volunteers in Medicine.
"We are proud to support The Jared Box Project and the incredible impact it has on children and families," said Rick Tabor, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union. "The simple act of providing a child with a box filled with games, toys, and activities can make a challenging day a little brighter. Our credit union is honored to help further that mission and support an organization that brings comfort and smiles to so many."
Cindy Kolarik, Executive Director of The Jared Box Project, expressed her gratitude: “We are so very thankful for the generous support of PSFCU. They have been supporters for years! As we celebrate 25 years of delivering smiles and hope to children, this generous donation allows us to continue making Jared Boxes for children in our local medical facilities. Neighbors helping neighbors—it doesn’t get any better than that!”
For more information or to learn how you can get involved, visit www.thejaredbox.org.
Pictured from left to right: Scott Mitchell, President/CEO of the YMCA of Centre County; Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union; Mel Curtis, Anti-Hunger Program Director of the YMCA of Centre County.
Penn State Federal
helps fight hunger with the
YMCA of Centre County
Bellefonte, PA (May 2025) -- Penn State Federal Credit Union donated $20,000 to the YMCA of Centre County's Backpack Program – a service for children and families struggling with food insecurity. The program, which was started in November of 2014 in one school district, now serves eight local school districts. Each week during the school year, backpacks full of food are distributed to more than 1,300 local children.
Aside from oversight and food ordering, the program is run mostly by volunteers who pack the backpacks and deliver them to the schools. Each Friday afternoon during the school year, participating students receive a backpack containing meals and snacks to take home with them for the weekend. On Monday, they return their empty backpack to the school so it can be refilled for the following weekend.
"The Penn State Federal family is pleased to be a part of the Backpack Program again this school year. As a not-for-profit financial institution it is our mission to give back to the community. And a child fed for the weekend is a success story. Thank you to the YMCA for being there for the kids!" said Cheryl Barr, CEO of Penn State Federal Credit Union.
Mel Curtis, Director of the Y's Anti-Hunger Programs says, "The Penn State Federal Credit Union's continued financial support is extremely important to the success and sustainability of the Backpack Program. Their donation to support this program has made a major impact in many children's lives so they have food for the weekend. Their passion to help others is greatly appreciated and very sincere because they recognize that no child should ever go hungry!"
No child is turned away from the opportunity to participate in the Backpack Program. Parents may receive more information about enrolling their child/children by contacting their child's school. The program serves Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Moshannon Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley, State College and West Branch Area School Districts. You may also visit www.ymcaocc.org for more information.