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LAPLACE – Louisiana Federal Credit Union (FCU) launches its annual Pack the Pirogue drive this July to help students and teachers in the Tangipahoa, Ascension and River Parishes obtain much-needed school supplies for the 2022-23 school year.
On average, teachers spend around $500 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms. Educators who work in low-income communities or with special needs children are especially prone to coming out of pocket to invest in their students.

Pack the Pirogue is Louisiana Federal Credit Union’s annual school supply drive. Each year, the organization collects new school supply donations from staff, members and the local community.
“You need certain things to help you succeed in the classroom,” said Mary-Lynn Detillier, fifth grade teacher at Ethel Schoeffner Elementary and 2021 Pack the Pirogue nominee. “I personally, and other teachers, spend a lot of our hardworking money on supplies for our kids, because not all of them come with the supplies needed.”
In 2021, Pack the Pirogue collected and donated 10,126 school supply items to 12 classrooms across southeast Louisiana. This year, the credit union hopes to increase that number by offering even more ways to contribute. From July 11 through August 22, supplies may be dropped off physically at any Louisiana FCU branch, or virtually at www.LouisianaFCU.org/pack-the-pirogue.
“Donating to Pack the Pirogue has never been easier,” says Rhonda Hotard, president/CEO of Louisiana FCU. “In five minutes or less, you can make a profound impact on a child’s life. Every child deserves to start the school year with the tools they need to learn, because education breeds opportunity.”
The donation wish lists includes basic school supplies, such as paper, pencils, scissors, glue, folders, notebooks, erasers, calculators and backpacks, as well as hygienic items like tissues and hand sanitizer.
The credit union is now accepting nominations for local classrooms to receive the supplies collected during this year’s Pack the Pirogue drive. To donate, or to nominate a classroom, visit www.LouisianaFCU.org/pack-the-pirogue.
Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving more than 35,000 members in Louisiana. For more information about the credit union, visit www.LouisianaFCU.org.