For the holiday season, First New York Federal Credit Union is collecting rolls of toilet paper at all branches and at its company headquarters. The rolls will be shared with Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, an agency made up of programs that assist the needy with the basic necessities of life.

“Capital Region residents who receive food stamps are not permitted to purchase personal-hygiene products; no deodorant, no soap, no shampoo, no laundry detergent, no razors and not even toilet paper can be purchased with their benefits,” said a release from the credit union.

First New York FCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative which serves more than 30,000 members, with assets totaling approximately $311 million.  The credit union was originally founded in 1937 as Schenectady Teachers Federal Credit Union, and now has six full service branch locations and operates three in-school branch offices, run by student volunteers inside the Schenectady, Mohonasen, and Scotia-Glenville high schools.