Credit Union Supports Food Pantry
April 17, 2014
St. Louis MO - 1st Financial Federal Credit Union employees continue the Helping People 1st community grant program by working with O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry in March.
The Helping People 1st Grant program was designed as a way for 1st Financial and its employees to collaborate with a charitable organization to enrich the surrounding communities.� Each month, a different 1st Financial Federal Credit Union branch selects a local nonprofit and donates time and energy to spread awareness and gather resources for the organization.� For the month of March, the St. Charles Branch selected the O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry.
O.A.S.I.S. is an incorporated 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that has provided food assistance to St. Charles County since 1990.� Located at 1814 Boones Lick in St. Charles, O.A.S.I.S. is responsible for providing food and toiletries for almost 600 families a month.� There is no paid staff at O.A.S.I.S.; besides facilities maintenance all monetary donations go towards purchasing food to supplement donations.
"We chose O.A.S.I.S, because economic times, job loss, foreclosures, and fear for the future put tremendous stress on families," said Contact Center Manager Shelitta Hairlson.� She went on to say, "Choosing this organization was easy.� We want the community to know we are there for more than just checking accounts or auto loans.� We exist to help when help is needed the most."
In addition to the $500 grant given to the nonprofit as part of the Helping People 1st program, the St. Charles Branch also held multiple raffles, a bake sale, and accepted food donations in their lobby.� On March 27th, credit union employees spent the day volunteering at O.A.S.I.S. handing out food, stocking shelves, organizing clothing, and cleaning up the property. �On April 1st, O.A.S.I.S. received $1173.86 from the grant/fundraising and received 231 food and hygiene products.
Terry Rodewald, Executive Director of O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry, was very excited to work with 1st Financial� employee volunteers.� "We are blessed to be recipients of this support and we look forward to their volunteer assistance in the future."
"I think that it is a great way to interact with the community", said Chuck Holmes, Branch Manager of the St. Charles Branch.� "I think that the initial donation is a fabulous concept.� Adding in the fundraising activities and the opportunity for employees to volunteer their time and energy is phenomenal."
Mr. Holmes went on to talk about the Helping People 1st Grant Program as a whole.� "Our branches have jumped on board both financially and emotionally.� No matter what nonprofit we pick, it seems like this program has ignited a spark in our employees.� It is great that we have been able to help such amazing work get done in our communities."
For more information about O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry and how to volunteer your time and resources, please visit www.oasisfoodpantry.com.
For more information on 1st Financial Federal Credit Union, please visit www.TheBetterWayToBank.org or call (636) 916-8300.
About 1st Financial Federal Credit Union
Like all credit unions, 1st Financial is a member-owned, financial cooperative.� 1st Financial Federal Credit Union was chartered on September 3, 1968 as District 837 Credit Union by the International Association of Machinist members employed by McDonnell Douglas. Today, with over 30,000 members and nearly $200 million in assets, 1st Financial is a St. Louis metro area financial institution dedicated to helping members achieve their financial dreams.� For over 45 years 1st Financial has provided members with a full line of dependable financial products and services which returns profits to the members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher savings yields. The cooperative nature of credit unions enables 1st Financial to provide products and services at very reasonable rates.
1st Financial Federal Credit Union serves those who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri and a wide array of companies throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.� 1st Financial is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial organization committed to providing quality services to the membership while demonstrating safe and sound business practices.� Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government.
Not a credit union member?� If you live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri, you can open an account today.