As part of their ongoing commitment to keeping money on Main Street, credit unions across Oakland County will participate in local “cash mobs” on Tuesday, Oct. 16, as part of the statewide CU Lunch Local program.

During the daylong program, credit unions and their employees will support a local business for everything from getting breakfast or lunch to purchasing gifts for staff. Dozens of Michigan credit unions, with hundreds of employees, across the state are participating in CU Lunch Local.

“Michigan Catholic Credit Union is excited to take this day to showcase our support for local businesses in our community and encourage everyone to put our money where it belongs – in the local community,” said Michigan Catholic Credit Union’s Mary Turczyn.  “CU Lunch Local is a great example of the credit union difference and how we can make a direct impact on local businesses.”

CU Lunch Local aims to raise awareness about the importance of supporting local small businesses across Michigan. Studies show that money spent at local businesses tends to stay in the community and a greater percentage of every dollar spent is recirculated at the local level when compared with non-local businesses. CU Lunch Local is sponsored by Michigan CU Capital, a credit union organization formed in 2011 in collaboration with Michigan Business Connection, a commercial lending CUSO.

MCCU branches will get lunch for employees from local family restaurants. MCCU’s main office will also serve up Sander’s Hot Fudge Cream Puffs from a Sander’s store in Birmingham and Vernor’s floats.

Other Oakland County credit unions are also celebrating CU Lunch Local. Affinity Group CU in Pontiac will buy lunch for employees from local restaurants close to its six branches and give  staff a Michigan-made gift. Cornerstone Community CU in Auburn Hills is providing breakfast for its employees from a local restaurant.

LOC Federal Credit Union and Chiropractic Federal CU in Farmington; Community Choice CU in Farmington Hills; and OUR Credit Union in Royal Oak are also participating in CU Lunch Local.

David Adams, CEO of Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates said: “Michigan credit unions support small businesses in so many ways, including business lending that helps create jobs and turn the state’s economy around,” “This is an opportunity to show everyone just how big the credit union commitment to small business really is.”

“CU Lunch Local is a powerful way to illustrate the credit union commitment to small businesses and the real proactive difference credit unions make to the communities they serve,” MBC CEO Bill Beardsley said. “Every dollar spent makes a difference when it goes to local business, and no one knows that better than our credit union community.”

Cash mob events are similar to flash mob events, but with one key difference. Instead of dancing in the street, people who participate in cash mob events spend money. Their goal is to support local businesses and encourage others to buy local. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, dozens of credit unions from all around the state will commit to dine, shop, or buy local.

To learn more about the event visit MI CU Capital’s Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/MICUCapital.

About MI CU Capital

Michigan CU Capital is a shared symbol of credit union commitment to serve Michigan business and create awareness of the credit union industry's capabilities in business lending. Credit unions believe that working together to help their business members and their communities succeed by providing them with financial support is a critical part of their mission. Michigan CU Capital is a collaborative approach that enables even more credit unions to promote their successes. Founded in late 2011 and powered by Michigan Business Connection (www.mbcloans.biz), MI CU Capital promotes the credit union difference. To learn more about MI CU Capital visit their website at www.micucapital.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MICUCapital.