Share this article Share this article ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, today proudly announced an expansion of its Military Heroes Emergency Financial Assistance program as a result of data collected from its COVID-19 Relief Program. Changes to the program include extended assistance for rent and utilities for military families, as well as assistance with late fees. U.S. Army veteran Racheal Robinson poses with her family. Racheal received assistance from the PenFed Foundation after her husband lost his job in early March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. On March 17, 2020, the PenFed Foundation became the first organization to launch a COVID-19 relief program for service members and veterans. In the first four days of the program, the PenFed Foundation received over 3,700 applications. To help meet this need, the COVID-19 relief program provided more than $540,000 in assistance to 932 qualifying military families. The Foundation's COVID-19 relief work resulted in national media coverage and recognition as Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit of the Year.