Staff members of the $705 million, 116,500-member Arrowhead Credit Union spent the day after Election Day filling 250 bags with groceries for the homeless after digging into their own pantries. This collection of a different kind was spearheaded by Doribel Martinez, who works in collections for the San Bernardino, Calif., credit union.

“I talk to people every day who are having a hard time financially—and try to find a way to help them through it. So many people are in need of our compassion, so I asked my manager if we could do something as a team,” she said. Arrowhead's Riverside Branch manager, Sam Clark, asked a local grocery store to donate bags to collect the food; other team members volunteered to deliver the filled bags to a Mary's Mercy Center, a local charity.

“The Arrowhead team made it possible for us to fill our shelves so we can make sure the families in our community have Thanksgiving dinners,” said Marsha Alguin, director of Mary's Mercy Center.

“I love that this idea came from our collections department—they approach their work with such big hearts, and are truly passionate about helping people,” said Emily Friesen, the credit union's vice president of marketing.

Below, trucks and SUVs filled and staffers ready to deliver.