If you are looking for a perfect example of compassionate service, look no further than the volunteers at Marion’s Angel Depot. Linda Green, Kirsten Koch and Laura Young work together to serve over 100 children in foster care and parents by running the Depot for Angels’ Arms. 

This 4,000 square foot warehouse serves as a donation distribution center where our foster families pick up much needed goods including food, toiletries, hygiene products, laundry detergent diapers, etc. The Depot opened in March of 2021, after the covid year of 2020 made it very clear that the foster families needed additional help. And, due to rising grocery prices, the need for assistance is greater than ever. 

Linda, Kirsten and Laura, the Depot Angels, saw the need and realized that running the Depot was pulling employees away from their jobs at the office. They stepped in, assessed the situation, figured out exactly how to run the Depot to assist the foster families, made suggestions, and took over the entire operation!

Because of their dedication and selflessness, Linda, Kirsten and Laura were recently recognized by the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Kiwanis Club with the Jimmy Fidler Service Award. It is a fitting recognition for women who devote themselves to Angels’ Arms foster families by sharing their skills, time and love for the families. 

Angels’ Arms staff and board members joined in congratulating Linda, Laura and Kirsten at the Awards Luncheon.

Service With a Smile

As Angels’ Arms Founder Bess Wilfong explained, “They are always ready to serve, and will do whatever it takes to make life better for our families. They organize. They unpack. They go through all of the food and mark it with expiration dates. They come to the warehouse every week to sort, clean, and set up items for the families. And they do all of this with a smile and a warm heart. Angels’ Arms would be hard pressed to find volunteers who are so completely dedicated to serving our foster families.”

Going the extra mile is part of everything they do. Linda, Kirsten and Laura shop for needed items when donations are running low, pick-up orders and donations, help parents who are shopping at the Depot by entertaining foster children, and load up the foster parent’s cars. They also come in on weekends to assist parents who can’t come by during the week. 

In addition to the love and care they show the foster parents and kids, they are adept at seeking out donations, are keenly organized, and their amazing volunteerism means that an employee doesn’t have to be hired to take care of running the Depot. 

Committed to Angels’ Arms

Kirsten became involved in the summer of 2022 when she and Laura retired from teaching. She was an adopted child and she knew the impact foster families make in the lives of children. Kirsten was looking for volunteer ideas, and since she loves to organize things, the Depot was a perfect fit. 

Laura got involved when her husband’s company, Deca Property Management, held a linen drive to share with Angels’ Arms. She learned that the Depot had recently opened and that volunteers were needed. Kids in foster care and the families have a special place in Laura’s heart. She adopted her youngest son after he was placed in foster care at one month of age. “We know the challenges and the victories with each child,” she shared. “The love, patience, flexibility, and care the parents give each day is inspiring.”

Linda learned about Angels’ Arms through the National Charity League (NCL), a mother-daughter philanthropy organization. Angels’ Arms quickly became her family’s favorite. She was involved with Angels’ Arms for many years, but took some time off to care for her parents. After the pandemic, she learned about the Depot. “It turned out to be a perfect fit for me,” she said. “I love organizing and have also made new friends along the way!”

A Typical Day and a Vital Resource

If there is such a thing as “a typical day,” it starts with any donations that have come in. They sort donations, stock the shelves and put expiration dates on items if needed. They assist parents shopping and advise the office about needed items in case anyone is setting up a donation drive. Kirsten noted, “Much like teaching elementary school, you never know what you will be walking into at the Depot.”

The warehouse is a vital resource for Angels’ Arms families. Most of our families care for up to six children, so grocery bills can be overwhelming. The warehouse helps bridge the gap and ease financial strain. Additionally, the warehouse serves as a gathering place for foster parents, where they can share experiences, exchange parenting advice and support one another.

As Linda explains, “Every foster parent who visits the warehouse is incredibly grateful for the support it provides. They couldn’t be more appreciative of the essentials they receive, and it’s heartwarming to see their excitement over even the simplest necessities. Laundry detergent, for example, is always in high demand—imagine doing laundry for six kids! 

“They also love discovering new items in stock and often express how much their children will appreciate them. One of the most popular features of the warehouse is a special shelf in the back where parents can select a birthday gift for their child during their birthday month—it’s always a big hit!”

For these three ladies, serving the foster families is the best part of volunteering. They love meeting the foster parents and children. “It’s truly heartwarming to see the joy on parents’ faces when they walk into a well-stocked warehouse,” said Laura. “Occasionally, we receive special items beyond groceries and essential supplies. It is amazing to see how excited the kids are to receive something that makes them feel special.” 

Kirsten enjoys, “when a whole family comes in! I love catching up with the families on how things are going and what we can do to help support them at the warehouse. The parents are amazing angels.”

In running the Depot, these ladies are overjoyed to serve as a small resource the parents can utilize to help their foster families. As Kirsten explained, “The parents are in no way compensated for all they do and give, so it is nice that they can come in and get resources for free.”

The Power of Love and Service to Others

In volunteering their time, this trio of Depot Angels share their talents for organizing and running the “store,” make themselves available to the parents in emergencies – even if it’s not a regularly scheduled day, listen with love and compassion when the parents need someone to talk to, and make sure essential supplies and groceries are available. They put the Kiwanis Jimmy Fidler Award into action, and they truly make a significant difference in the lives of every foster family they touch. Linda, Kirsten and Laura are a testament to the power of love and service to others. 

It can be a real joy preparing a meal for your family, knowing you are providing a delicious
opportunity to nourish your family and enjoy time around the table. Running over the day’s
happenings, sharing a heartwarming meal, and sharing smiles can be the highlight of the day!

But lives can be busy. There are appointments, activities and sports. And suddenly it’s
dinnertime for your foster family of seven to 10! That’s where Angels’ Arms Meal Delivery
Program really helps out. Individuals, groups, churches and organizations can sign up to provide
a meal for any of our hungry families.

And thanks to Tonya Ferretti, a donated dinner became much more than a meal for foster mom
Vanessa Rucker and her family.

An Amazing Friendship and a Day Mom Doesn’t Have to Worry

When Tonya retired from teaching, she decided to start volunteering. “I actually googled
volunteering in St. Louis and found Angels’ Arms on volunteermatch.com. I had attended some
Angels’ Arms events, and had friends who volunteered there, so I searched the families on the
meal list. Vanessa was the last family listed, and she was the closest to my house. Anyone can
stop on the first name, but I wanted to stop at the last.”

Tonya’s first meal was donated on March 12, 2024, and it was the beginning of a wonderful
year of meals and friendship. “I got several new little ones on March 5,” remembers Vanessa,
“So Tonya was excited to meet them and learn more about our family.”
Tonya said, “It was wonderful to develop a relationship with the kids and the family. I love kids,
and as a former teacher it is great to get to visit with them.” That Tuesday meal led to weekly
meals, even when Tonya’s out of town.

“I tell her, don’t worry about this week when she’s not home, but she has pizza delivered!”
Vanessa explained. “I am overjoyed just to not have to worry about cooking at all. Tonya has
everything packed. We have leftovers, and the kids even enjoy that. As a parent who had
multiple children, different backgrounds and behaviors, this is such a blessing. A day I don’t
have to worry.”

Waiting for Their Friend

Tonya starts her meals by checking in with Vanessa and seeing what the kids would like. “If I
have an idea in mind, they usually like my suggestions,” said Tonya.

The best part for Tonya, “When I pull up in the driveway, a couple of the kids come right out to
see what they can help me carry in. The youngest is walking now, and he comes over for me to
pick him up. The other kids come over and give me a hug. After we get set up, the little one
brings his high chair over, but only after he gives hugs. They like to show me their dolls or toys,
and they are also full of compliments about last week’s meal.”

Family Favorites

“We love taco Tuesday. Tonya does it all with love – you can feel it in her meals. She thinks of
everything and has it all laid out,” said Vanessa.

Tonya explained, “I try to do lettuce, cheese, guacamole, taco chips, meat and beans. Vanessa is
vegetarian, so I try to make sure I have something for everyone. And I usually make extra to
have it for my family, too. It doesn’t matter what I cook, as long as they are happy with it, I’m
happy. ”

Growing Together

But in addition to the food, something else is cooking when Tonya visits Vanessa. They talk
about raising kids, sharing ideas for activities, meals, advice and more.
“We are way beyond the meal,” said Vanessa. “When Tonya noticed we had a lot of books, she
brought us a bookshelf. And she’s even shared clothes for the kids. She always thinks about us
and what we need.”

Tears occasionally fill their eyes as Tonya and Vanessa share their story. “It’s like we are just
two women who share in our life experiences, especially when it comes to raising a family,”
said Tonya. “Vanessa’s doing a lot, and I respect what she does. She needs an ear sometimes.
Mostly, we just listen to each other.”

“And when I text to thank Tonya, I am crying with joy. Lord, I am so thankful,” said Vanessa. “I
am happy and overjoyed when she shows up. I don’t even care what she fixes, we enjoy eating
it. And the kids always make her notes, cards, bookmarks, flowers. They like to do something
special, because she is so special to us.”

“It’s so true when people say it feels better to give than receive,” said Tonya. “I see their
appreciation. They are great kids and Vanessa is doing a beautiful job with them. They are all
right there in the room ready to help and talk. They are happy and they are lucky to have her.”

Are you Interested in Becoming Part of the Meal Program?

Tonya’s advice, “Get involved! It will definitely add to your life and your happiness, and it
definitely makes a difference to the family. The sign up is simple enough, and I hope other

people with learn about it and sign up for it – even once a month or a couple times a year. Each
person gets to decide what they want to do.”

Why did Tonya come back after her first meal drop off? “It was easy enough, and I picked a
home where I didn’t have to drive that far,” explained Tonya. “When I met Vanessa and the
kids, they were so appreciative and happy. They never let a chance go by to say thank you.
When you think about all Vanessa is doing, I am not doing much. It’s a meal, but look at
everything Vanessa does for her six kids.

“I knew I wanted to do something after I retired, and this little bit is perfect. In fact, when I go
to sign up, I sometimes get upset because someone took my Tuesday! it’s one way to help, and
it’s not a small thing to the parents.”

And for Vanessa, “It’s priceless to me!”

Signing Up

Use this link to sign up to provide a meal: https://angelsarms.org/meal-delivery-or-drop-off/
Once a year, once a month, once a week — sharing a meal fills hungry foster families with food,
love and comfort. It’s a great way to make a difference in so many lives!