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Above everything else, credit unions are all about people helping people. When the pandemic hit in 2020, nonprofits became overwhelmed with the requests they received. We created the Arsenal Community Impact Fund to help these organizations serve their clients in the unique ways they’re equipped to do so.
Since we started this program in 2020, we’ve awarded a total of $57,300 to local nonprofit organizations. For this round, we awarded 10 nonprofit organizations grants of $1,500 or $1,000 (a total of $12,500).
Meet this round’s winners below. If their mission is close to you, we’ve provided links to websites and social media channels so you can learn more and help them.
Brenden’s Friday Backpacks
$1,500 Grant Awarded
Located in Arnold, Missouri
Their mission: This program works with Jefferson and St. Francois County schools to identify children facing food insecurity and provide backpacks of food to carry them through the weekend when they don’t have reliable access. They currently feed more than 1,600 children.
What they’ll use the funds for: Grant funds will be used to cover the cost of canned goods packed in the bags each week. Last year, they spent more than $107,000 at on canned food items. Our grant will help defray the cost.
Their mission: To create a fun and memorable birthday experience for children in homeless and domestic violence shelters. The celebrations raise self-esteem, strengthen bonds, establish social relationships, create positive memories and help children to have a perception of time while empowering parents who are struggling.
What they’ll use the funds for: The grant funding will go directly to buying birthday supplies, such as gifts, cakes, balloons and all the pieces of a birthday party that will help a child remember it forever.
Their mission: To provide emotional support to patients going through difficult pregnancies and child-birth journeys at St. Mary’s Hospital and the NICU. This organization surprises nurses and families in the NICU and hospital with care packages during holidays throughout the year.
What they’ll use the funds for: September 30th is NICU Awareness Day and so they will use grant funds to bring care packages to nurses and families in the NICU. They’ll also be launching a new program for the NICU, a library and craft cart for parents. Additionally, they’ll use funds to take professional photos of the babies and will share printed photos with their parents.
Their mission: Their mission is to provide homeless cats and dogs with the highest quality of life and a second chance to find a forever family. They’re a “no-kill” animal sanctuary and provide dedicated love and care to more than 400 homeless cats and dogs daily.
What they’ll use the funds for: The grant money will go toward the care of these animals with a primary focus on the low-cost spay/neuter program.
Their mission: Their mission is to provide pet food, education and assistance in accessing services to low-income families, senior citizens, veterans, disabled persons and homeless persons in Jefferson County to ensure that their companion animals never go hungry or suffer.
What they’ll do with the funds: The grant will go toward their mobile feline spay program.
Their mission: Their mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs by providing athletic, artistic and social opportunities. They believe every individual should have positive self-esteem. They strive in all their programs to build participants’ self-esteem by building their self-confidence through helping them to achieve success.
What they’ll use the funds for: Grant funds will be used to support their fall festival. This festival offers hayrides, trick or treating, carnival games, food and more for children.
Their mission: They exist to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities. They offer programs in community living, employment services, community support services, family support and leisure.
What they’ll use the funds for: The grant funds will be used to provide emergency medical supplies for residents in the community living program who can’t afford medical supplies that are necessary for their care.
Their mission: Their mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of young people. BBBSIL’s primary objective is to build strong and enduring, professionally supported matches between adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) and youth (Littles), ages 6-18, who are facing adversity and living in St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, and Clinton counties.
What they’ll do with the funds: The grant will be used to fund the “Get a Little Healthy” program. Each month, children and their mentor will learn new healthy life skills in a fun and engaging way. This new program will teach them about skills needed to be mentally and emotionally resilient such as meditation, healthy sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise and more.
Locations in St. Louis and House Springs, Missouri
Their mission: This organization works to alleviate the effects of poverty in the St. Louis area while also providing resources to help those in need lead independent and sustainable lives. All clients of this nonprofit lived at or below the federal poverty guidelines or have recently experienced a life crisis requiring immediate assistance. Last year, Feed My People served more than 44,000 individuals.
What they’ll use the funds for: The grant funds will be used to provide food, clothing, personal care items, utility and transportation assistance for clients.
Their mission: They are a foster organization that helps families with caring for children in the program. Their mission is to make a positive difference in the community for foster children, foster families and biological families. They help children maintain connections and bonds to thrive physically, mentally and academically.
What they’ll use the funds for: The grant funds will be used toward the location’s rent in the Arnold area. The location offers families a safe place to meet for court-order visits.
