Nearly 50 credit unions and industry organizations acrossMichigan will support local businesses Tuesday by purchasing lunchat locally owned restaurants as part of the CU Lunch Local event,according to a release from the Michigan Credit Union League.

CU Lunch Local, sponsored by CUSO Michigan CU Capital, aims to raise awareness about theimportance of supporting local small businesses acrossMichigan.

“Christian Financial Credit Union employees and members are'lunching local' to show our continued support for the smallbusinesses that drive our economy forward,” said RebekahJohnson, marketing manager at the $262 million CFCU in suburbanRoseville.

“Employees at each of our branches have committed to eitherorder in or visit a local restaurant for lunch on Oct. 16. We'vearmed our staff with a list of local restaurants to support thatday, and in addition, the credit union will reimburse employees upto $10 for 'lunching local' and sharing their experience withothers,” Johnson said.

CFCU President/CEO Patty Campbell and BillBeardsley, president/CEO of business lending CUSO MichiganBusiness Connection, will spend Tuesday's lunch break at theMajestic Café, a landmark restaurant in Detroit that has been alongtime business partner with the credit union.

“CU Lunch Local is a powerful way to illustrate the credit unioncommitment to small businesses and the real proactive differencecredit unions make to the communities theyserve,” Beardsley said. “Every dollar spent makes adifference when it goes to local business, and no one knows thatbetter than our credit union community.”

On the other side of the state, the $46 million MuskegonGovernment Employees FCU of Muskegon is participating in the eventby ordering in lunch for employees from two locally ownedrestaurants in the neighborhoods the credit union serves.

“We have a strong tradition in Muskegon of supporting hometownbusinesses and buying local as much as we can, so CU Lunch Local isanother opportunity for our credit union to showcase ourcommitment,” said President/CEO Jan Hermann. “We encourageeveryone in our community to join us not just today, but every dayin doing our part to support local hometown businesses in theMuskegon area.”

The Michigan Credit Union League said it will alsoparticipate by buying locally made treats for employees at both ofits locations.

League CEO David Adams said, “Michigan credit unions supportsmall businesses in so many ways, including business lending thathelps create jobs and turn the state's economy around. This is anopportunity to show everyone just how big the credit unioncommitment to small business really is.”