Katie BaileyThomas Flowers, CEO of Calhoun Liberty Credit Union in Florida, completed Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) training in May 2019. CUDE Program is a transformative program that builds awareness of the development issues preventing people from achieving financial freedom—and how credit unions are uniquely positioned to address them. Through immersive education, events, and collaboration, CUDE inspires credit union leaders to create lasting community change.
Following the program, Thomas was motivated to make a direct impact in his community. He focused on tackling food insecurity by partnering with the Altha Public School Backpack Program, which provides weekend meals to students who rely on school meals during the week. With board-approved funding, the credit union purchased easy-to-prepare food, packed it into reusable backpacks, and delivered them to 30 students in need.
For Thomas and his team, the project reflected the CUDE principles of people, passion, and understanding. It wasn’t just about financial services; it was about addressing the broader needs of their members and community. The League is proud to support members like Thomas who use CUDE training to create meaningful change in their communities.
