Welcome to the

At Patterson Credit Union, we believe in the power of community and the philosophy of "People helping people." We are excited to introduce The Acorn Project, our newly established charitable foundation that supports children in Clark County and surrounding communities.

About the Acorn Project

The Acorn Project is designed to provide our local children with the food and necessities they need to thrive. With a rich history of community involvement, Patterson Credit Union’s commitment to supporting local school districts and students is unwavering. As President/CEO Shawn Cowart shares, “The very first sponsorship we ever did was for a community event to provide school supplies for students in need. Supporting the school districts and all they do for our local children is a top priority for Patterson.”

For nearly a decade, our main philanthropic focus has been to ensure that local children have the food they need over weekends and breaks from school. This project sometimes referred to as the Backpack Program or Project CARE, will be enhanced and sustained through the Acorn Project, allowing us to continue feeding and supporting our local youth while exploring new opportunities to extend our impact.

The Impact

During the 2023-2024 school year, we provided 100-150 food bags each weekend to students in the Arkadelphia Public School District. For the most part, each bag of food contained a packet of oatmeal, a granola bar, a package of crackers, a cup of fruit, macaroni and cheese or ramen noodles, Vienna sausages, and soup/ravioli. For some children that would supplement what they had at home and for others that may be all they ate in a weekend.

A contribution of $350 will provide a weekend's worth of food for children. On average, each food bag costs $3.50, putting the cost of the program over a 36-week school year over $18,000. To sustain this impactful program, we need your support

Get Involved

The Acorn Project invites businesses, community groups, and individuals to join us in making a difference. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate:   Your tax-deductible contributions will directly fund the purchase of food for children in need. A contribution of $350 will provide a weekend's worth of food for children and you will be recognized as the “Food Sponsor of the Week” on social media (for the Acorn Project and Arkadelphia School District), as well as highlighted in branch at Patterson. Donations of any amount are appreciated and can be made directly to The Acorn Project; all funds will be issued as grants for purchasing essential items.
• Participate:   Join us for packing events where we organize and prepare food bags for distribution. Businesses and community groups are encouraged to participate and make these events a success.
• Spread the Word:   Share our mission and efforts to help raise awareness and encourage others to get involved.

Get In Touch

If you are interested in learning more about The Acorn Project, donating, or hosting a packing event, please reach out to Nicole McGough (nicole@pfcuonline.org) at Patterson Credit Union. We are eager to answer your questions and discuss how you can be a part of this meaningful initiative.

Thank you for your support and for helping us plant the seeds of hope and nourishment in our community. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and build a stronger, more supportive community for all.

The Acorn Project is a Donor-Advised Fund held by the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation (Cornerstone Foundation) which is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.