The Gateway Food Pantry in Arnold has made significant strides in serving its community. Executive director Patrick McKelvey recently shared that the pantry collected around $75,000 from its Taste of Arnold event. This substantial amount will play a crucial role in fulfilling their mission and ensuring that their shelves are always stocked.

About the Taste of Arnold Event

The Taste of Arnold took place on November 13th at the Arnold Recreation Center. This event, which was renamed from Arnold Food Pantry to Gateway in June, saw a change in format. Initially, only 200 tickets were sold, but with the help of the Arnold Parks and Recreation Department staff, the number was expanded to 250. The new format was a hit, with executive chef Adam Lambay from the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark preparing the evening's meal. Many restaurants were unable to participate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but about 20 Arnold and Kimmswick restaurants donated gift cards that were given away as attendance prizes. McKelvey heard rave reviews about the food and the setup, stating that it was a vast improvement over last year.

Benefits of the Event

The funds raised from the Taste of Arnold will have a significant impact on the pantry's operations. It will help them continue to provide food assistance to residents of the Fox C-6 and Windsor C-1 school districts and those in the 63127 and 63128 ZIP codes in south St. Louis County. Gateway Food Pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays and from 8-10 a.m. on weekends, making it accessible to those in need.The event also brought the Arnold community together. Mayor Ron Counts, State Rep. Phil Amato, and members of the City Council, along with various organizations like the Arnold Chamber of Commerce, Arnold Rotary Club, and Meramec Arnold Eagles, attended. This showed the importance of Arnold to the pantry and demonstrated the community's support.

Partnerships and Support

The Arnold Recreation Center proved to be an excellent host for the event. McKelvey praised the staff for their hard work and dedication in taking the event to the next level. The pantry's partnership with the recreation center has been crucial in making the Taste of Arnold a success.Moreover, the change in format allowed for a more focused and enjoyable experience. Adam Lambay's culinary skills added a special touch to the evening, and the gift cards donated by local restaurants showed the community's generosity.In conclusion, the Taste of Arnold event was a resounding success for the Gateway Food Pantry. The funds raised, the community support, and the improved format have all contributed to the pantry's ability to serve its clients better. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the pantry staff and the community as a whole.