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In December, we received a $9,000 grant from the Cornerstone Foundation to purchase warm-weather clothing for a new project: the Cozy Community Coat Drive. We partnered with Arnold Food Pantry (2024 Key West Dr., Arnold, MO) to distribute coats to its clients.
On December 20, 2023, we distributed the coats to more than 70 client families of Arnold Food Pantry. In addition to new coats, food pantry clients also received a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and free educational resources.
With remaining grant money, an additional 45 coats were donated to Hope Church, Feed My People and Belleville West High School to help warm up the St. Louis Metro area!
More about the project
The idea for the project came up because of our close relationship with Arnold Food Pantry, its need for warm-weather clothes for its clients and our mission of serving organizations that help members of the community in interesting ways.
Arsenal employees took care of purchasing and distributing coats.
We sourced sizes for clients and their families to ensure comfortable and accurate fitting coats.
Coats were packaged with Chick-Fil-A gift cards and free financial education resources.
While donations for the Arnold branch went to the Arnold Food pantry, employees at other branches donated to organizations close the them.
Here’s what those involved thought about the project
“Our mission and vision is to provide financial independence and security to members and local residents who reside in the shadows of our facilities and surrounding communities. Our employees strive to add value through financial education and investing in those partnering organizations who align with our mission to serve. We understand the downturn in the current financial environment has added to the number of individuals in need. By providing, the basic necessities of comfort, warmth, food, and a hand up through financial education, we are enabling residents to take the first step towards financial freedom.”
– Lori Crutchley, EVP of Arsenal Credit Union
“Particularly in times of higher inflation, our families with no or little income can ill afford a new coat. This grant, offering each of our families a new coat, could not have come at a better time, providing them warmth and comfort as winter nears. On their behalf, we are very thankful for this most generous offering.”
– Ed Fitzhenry, Executive Director of Arnold Food Pantry
