community

Keeping it Local

4 ways to support your community

by Chip Griffith, SVP Retail Sales and Operations, OneAZ Credit Union

At OneAZ, we partner with over 10,000 businesses across Arizona. In Glendale, there’s One Stop Nutrition which has three locations in the city and 30 others across Arizona.

Credit unions are built around the philosophy of “people helping people” and are dedicated to serving their members instead of shareholders. OneAZ Credit Union was founded with that dedication to the local community in mind.

Our focus on local, friendly service has not changed in our 70 years of service. As our membership has grown, so has our ability to serve our members and their local communities. It seems like those efforts are even more important now in the age of two-day shipping and convenient megastores. More and more, it’s easier to opt for a national brand.

Yet, there are major advantages to keeping money local. According to the Civic Economics Indie Impact Study Series cited by Local First Arizona, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $43 remains in the local economy. Compare that to the $13 that stays behind when you spend your money at non-locally owned businesses.

So, what can each of us do to keep money local?

Support locally owned businesses.

At OneAZ, we partner with over 10,000 businesses across Arizona. In Glendale, there’s One Stop Nutrition which has three locations in the city and 30 others across Arizona. Supporting local businesses like One Stop Nutrition means your hard-earned money stays in the Glendale community, providing local jobs and improving the quality of life for those throughout our neighborhoods.

Buy food farmed in Arizona.

Arizona is full of great farms and ranches that produce wonderful products. Whether you’re hitting one of the

great farmer’s markets here in Glendale or just shopping the local section at your grocery store, buying locallysourced groceries ensures our local farming communities remain strong.

Support nonprofits that improve your neighborhood.

There are many ways to give back to the Glendale community. Whether it’s helping out at a food bank or volunteering at a local animal rescue, your contributions can make a big difference in your neighborhood. At OneAZ, we give back to nonprofits throughout the Phoenix area and Arizona through the OneAZ Community Foundation. For every debit card swipe made by our members, OneAZ donates one cent to the foundation. This has allowed us to give nearly $750,000 back to Arizona communities since 2016. Our Community Impact Grant program is now open through April 1st. Nonprofits can learn more and apply for a grant at OneAZcu.com/foundation.

Attend community events.

This is a great way to discover new Glendale-based businesses. It will also help you build a sense of community with your neighbors. In Glendale, there are plenty of events that feature local restaurants and food trucks or pop-up shops highlighting local artists.

We hope you turn to your favorite local business for birthdays, holidays or any special occasion. Not only will you find unique gifts and neighborly service, but you’ll also be enriching your community and uplifting the lives of those around you.