Nusenda Credit Union and KOAT-TV finished their month-long coat donation drive on Nov. 19.

“Each year, we encourage our staff, member-owners and others in the community to stop by any Nusenda branch to drop off a new coat,” Nusenda President and CEO Joe Christian said.

The national One Warm Coat program says for poor families and individuals, the winter months are more expensive and a present a bigger strain on their budget. They also say that 1 in 6 children in America lives in poverty. Poverty in children increased from 14.4% in 2019 to 16.1% in 2020.

Since 2007, when the New Mexico donation drive started, Nusenda has delivered more than 30,000 coats to New Mexico kids.

“For many children in the state, these donated coats are the only ones they own, and we are glad to help make a difference,” Christian said.

According to Christian, Nusenda supports hundreds of programs and organizations working to transform New Mexico.

In addition to the coat drive, Nusenda gives back through its Community Rewards grants, financial education, sponsorships, volunteer projects, digital resources to improve financial well-being and more.