Arnold's Citizen of the Year: Kathy Flanigan of the Arnold Food Panty's Thrift Store

Kathy Flanigan, of the Arnold Food Pantry’s Thrift Store, received the Don Earl Citizen of the Year Award during the Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch on Tuesday.

About 63 business owners attended the lunch at Ponderosa, 3601 Jeffco Blvd., to meet other business owners and listen to Mayor Ron Counts present the award.

The award is given to a nominee who actively works to support and improve the Arnold community, Counts said.

“I’ve learned the best way to get a project completed is to give it to a busy person,” Counts said prior to giving the award to Flanigan.

During her speech, Flanigan asked Arnold residents to care for all people in the community. “I know three people within a 1-mile radius of here who are living without electricity.”

She also said she invited a man living in his van to attend the lunch event as her guest. Despite her attempts, the man said he was unworthy to attend. 

“There are people like that who are living in our community,” Flanigan said.

Flanigan began working at the non-profit in 1986 as a financial specialist after the founder asked her to volunteer.

“I knew it was going to be tough when I accepted the offer,” Flanigan said in a interview at the organization’s 6,800 square foot space at 25 Village Plaza.

Sometimes recipients down on their luck will vent their anger at those people trying to help them, Flanigan said.

She became director in 2000 when the founder retired.

“I keep doing it (working for the pantry) to help the little old lady, using a walker, who knows her $600 won’t last the month,” Flanigan said.

“I also do it for the kids who didn’t ask to be born into a family that is in need,” Flanigan said.

The non-profit has two operations: The pantry, which feeds about 400 people weekly, and a thrift store.

Every Wednesday, Flanigan and her volunteers take reservations from people needing fresh produce or bread. The callers arrive on Thursdays to pick up the items.

Flanigan’s volunteers also pack two-grocery bags of food for families to pick up during the week.

A few people, living outside Arnold, have arrived at Flanigan’s doorstep. “I help them once, then I put them in contact with the food pantry in their area,” Flanigan said. 

“The thrift store finances the pantry,” Flanigan said.  The store sells lightly worn clothes, stuffed animals, board games, unwanted trinkets, and walkers for physically handicapped people.

About 120 volunteers sort through the items weekly, Flanigan said. 

Don Earl’s sister, Sharon DeNoyer McGuire said she was proud of the award.  “He was a hero to me, my big brother, he was a protector.”

McGuire said her brother enjoyed Arnold. “It’s a shame he wasn’t born into a family of great wealth because he was always fundraising, working for the community and working on civic projects.”

People may have disagreed with Don Earl but they knew he spoke from his heart and wanted the best of the people living in the community, McGuire said.

To volunteer or donate to the Arnold Food Panty’s Thift Store call 636-467-5959. The find the closest food pantry, call 314-726-5355 and provide your zip code.