During the Sunday, October 15thh church service the First Church Community Fund (FCCF) committee announced grants for Fall 2023. Grants are awarded to community nonprofits serving the poor, unhoused, and underserved in our St. Louis community.
The FCCF committee selected twelve nonprofits to receive a portion of the $7800 in available Fund income this year. Grants averaged $650 and were awarded based on strength of proposals, anticipated impact, fit with our church values and mission, and focus.
Recipients included:
| Nonprofit |
Ask |
| All Nana's Kids Closet |
Pairs (300) of children's gloves |
| Americorps STL |
Facility improvements at its Soulard winter shelter for the unhoused |
| Caring for Kids |
Twin beds and bedding for children moving out of foster care into families |
| City Garden Montessori |
Emergency assistance with transportation, food, rent, school supplies, etc. for its families |
| Crime Victim Center |
Transportation and help accessing Orders of Protection for victims of domestic abuse |
| Grace and Peace Fellowship |
Help with first month rent and security deposits for women moving from shelter into permanent housing |
| Mental Health Collaborative/Casa de Salud |
Outfitting of a non-verbal therapy room for non-English speakers, victims of trauma and children |
| Metro Trans Umbrella Group |
Food for its food pantry and help with gender marker change fees |
| The Just Food Truck |
Warm meals for residents of impoverished neighborhoods |
| Unleashing Potential |
Infant formula for families in its Strengthening Resilient Families program |
| Welcome Neighbor |
Grocery gift cards for newly arrived immigrants |
| Wellston Loop Community Development Corporation |
Help with salary costs of a part-time worker to track chemical dependency referrals and outcomes |
The FCCF was also the recipient of Sunday’s Designated Collection which will help ensure that the Fund balance permits grants into the future. If you would like to donate, you may do so anytime throughout the year. Donations are accepted via the church website, “Text to Give” or by check payable to First Unitarian with “FCCF” specified on the memo line.
