ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota CU recently decided to help its members into home purchases by encouraging them to use their writing skills.Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union awarded seven $5,000 grants to members to be used for the down payment or for closing costs for the purchase of a home.Applicants were required to complete a one-page essay to explain why it would be meaningful to receive $5,000 toward a home purchase.One respondent wrote, "Just being able to receive a grant like this reassures us that we are working with the right company. This grant will open the road and help us reach our goal of purchasing a new home."Another member said, "The most meaningful thing for me is that I could have my own home, my dream, my peace and quiet."The funds came from two grants that were awarded to the Minnesota credit union by the Federal Home Loan Bank. The Urban First-Time Homebuyer's grant totaled $10,000 and the Rural Homebuyer's grant totaled $25,000.Applicants who were not selected didn't leave the competition empty-handed. The credit union waived the origination fee for their home loans.Affinity Plus has over $1.2 billion in assets and 130,000 members.–[email protected]