Ideal Credit Union Foundation Steps Up to Address Urgent Food Shelf Needs During the Holidays Across Local Communities

WOODBURY, Minn. (Dec. 23, 2025) — As food shelves across Minnesota experience record demand and rising costs, the Ideal Credit Union Foundation is stepping up to help ensure families have access to food and basic necessities during a critical time of need.

Food shelves are seeing increased visits from working families, seniors, and individuals seeking assistance for the first time. Inflation, higher grocery prices, and seasonal expenses have stretched household budgets, placing added strain on local food shelf resources just as demand peaks.

The Ideal Credit Union Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to community impact, has provided direct financial support to food shelves in communities served by Ideal Credit Union’s branch network. The Foundation focuses its investments on food security, housing stability, and youth mental health—areas essential to building long-term community well-being.

“Right now, food shelves are facing unprecedented demand, and the need is immediate,” said Shannon Butler, president of the Ideal Credit Union Foundation. “We knew it was important to step up early and support food shelves in each of the communities where our members live and work. These donations help ensure families have access to nutritious food when they need it most—especially during the holidays.”

Beginning in early November and continuing through early December, the Ideal Credit Union Foundation donated a total of $12,000 to six local food shelf organizations, providing critical support for emergency food assistance and basic needs:

• Valley Outreach, Stillwater – valleyoutreachmn.org
• Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, Hugo – hugofoodshelf.org
• Open Cupboard, Oakdale – opencupboard.org
• North St. Paul Food Shelf, North St. Paul – nspafoodshelf.org
• Neighbors Inc., South St. Paul – neighborsmn.org
• The Open Door, Eagan – theopendoorpantry.org

By supporting food shelves in each community it serves, Ideal Credit Union Foundation is helping ensure local organizations have the resources needed to respond to today’s heightened demand and continue serving neighbors facing food insecurity during the holiday season.

These contributions reflect Ideal Credit Union’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the communities it serves. To learn more about how you can support the Ideal Credit Union Foundation, visit the Ideal Credit Union Foundation section on Ideal Credit Union’s website.

About Ideal Credit Union Foundation
The Ideal Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving lives and supporting programs that create lasting change. Our mission is to strengthen our local communities by providing food security, promoting housing stability and supporting youth mental health. Every tax-deductible donation helps expand our reach and positively impact the communities where Ideal Credit Union serves members. For information on donating, requesting funds, or learning more visit us here: Ideal Credit Union Foundation.

About Ideal Credit Union: Founded in 1926, Ideal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution that is dedicated to providing financial services driven by a sincere and personal interest in the needs of our employees, members, and community. Ideal CU offers a complete range of services, including a full suite of digital banking products, savings, checking, loans, mortgage products, business services and more.

Ideal CU operates branches in Eagan, Hugo, Inver Grove Heights, North St. Paul, Stillwater, and Woodbury, with a new Blaine location opening mid-2026. Visit idealcu.com for details. The credit union is widely recognized for excellence, earning honors such as the 2025 Great Minnesota Workplace (Twin Cities Business Magazine), 2022—2025 Best in State Credit Union (Forbes), 2023, 2025 Best Place to Work (Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal), Best Credit Union (Stillwater Gazette, five consecutive years), and multiple 2025 Readers’ Choice awards from the Hugo Citizen, including Best Workplace, Best Bank/Financial, Best Mortgage Company, and Best Customer Service.