True to the credit union philosophy of "not for profit, not for charity, but for service", United Educational Credit Union will be hosting a "Financial Survival Fair" at all offices in Battle Creek, Albion and Coldwater on Friday, October 17, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m.

The "Financial Survival Fair" is one part of a full week of activities at United Educational in celebration of International Credit Union Week. The Fair was created as a means to help people get through the tough economic times that have seen family budgets squeezed to the breaking point. Just in terms of food costs, the Labor Department reports that grocery prices rose 6.1% overall in the last year, with several "staple" items such as eggs, milk and bread increasing well into the double digits, at 26-40%. "With prices of everything from food to energy to housing rising faster than most incomes, it was felt the timing of this could not be better," noted Fran Godfrey, President/CEO of United Educational Credit Union.

The Financial Survival Fair will feature resources to help consumers trim grocery bills, reduce energy consumption, preserve homeownership, prevent foreclosure, balance the family budget, and ultimately "Feed the Pig". The Fair is offered with the assistance of the MSU Extension Service, Community Action Agency, Neighborhoods Incorporated, GreenPath, local utilities and others.

Representing $83 million in assets, United Educational is a state-chartered, federally insured credit union open to anyone affiliated with education including staff, students, alumni and volunteers in Calhoun and Branch Counties, the Climax-Scotts School District in Kalamazoo County, and the Bellevue School District in Eaton County, as well as anyone who lives or works within 25 miles of branch offices in Albion or Coldwater. Also included are family members of existing members.

Source: battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20081006/NEIGHBORHOODS01/810030330