Eleven months of the year, the West County Democrats (WCD) take up a food collection for Circle of Concern. And in December, the group switches it up with a silent bid auction of donated holiday treats lovingly well-baked by its members or purchased from outstanding local bakeries.
“West County Democrat members share the belief that hunger and other issues which can be solved should be solved,” says Glenn Koenen, co-Chairman of WCD. “We’re happy to do what we can to fill Circle’s shelves – and to educate our community on the reality of hunger and other basic needs facing our neighbors.”
Every bit of food donated and money raised is appreciated, says Cyndi Miller, the executive director of Circle of Concern. She spoke at WCD’s December meeting. “You are a part of what we do by what you do here,” she said. “Keep doing what you are doing. Continue advocating for struggling families.”
Hunger exists. It’s an irrefutable fact. Miller lays out the numbers: In Missouri, 826,000 people—14% of the state’s population—live below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL); in St. Louis County 90,000 people—nine percent of the area’s population—live below the FPL.
Circle of Concern serves 600 families or about 2,000 people each month. Its service area has long included the school districts of Parkway, Rockwood and Valley Park. Recently, it added the zip code of 63026 (Fenton) and the families of Voluntary Transfer Students who attend school in West County districts and live in St. Louis City.
All of our families are at or below 185% of the FPL, ($46,435 for a household of four), which is the same benchmark needed to qualify for the free and reduced price school lunch program, says Miller. The largest groups served by Circle of Concern include moms with kids, seniors, and those with disabilities. However, there are many circumstances that may lead someone to our doors such as unemployment due to a seasonal layoff or an injury. Many of our clients are among the working poor—57% of households have a working adult, 20% have two working adults, she reports. This information comes from the intake interview that Circle of Concern uses to figure out how to best help.
“Feeding families is just the beginning,” says Miller. At its facility in Valley Park, Circle of Concern provides counseling, utility assistance, scholarships, mentoring, GED completion and professional license renewals—anything that will help families increase employment and boost their ability to earn a ‘living wage.’
One of Circle of Concern’s most dramatic updates has been converting its food pantry to ‘client choice.’ “We closed the pantry for a week and when we reopened, one client said it was like going to a grocery store rather than getting a handout,” says Miller. Clients select the foods that they want—ones that fit their culture, religious and dietary needs and that their families will eat. And, Miller notes, there are offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables—(some of which are provided by St. Tim’s garden)—as well as personal care items not covered by the federal government’s SNAP program.
Children are especially important. “We love kids,” says Miller. Circle of Concern provides summer camp assistance, birthday celebration packages, back-to-school supplies and, in the summer, extra food support. There’s even a library, for kids and adults, in the lobby.
Circle of Concern has a 12-member board of directors and 290 active volunteers. It was established 50 years ago by churches concerned about poverty and hunger in ‘rural’ West County. Today religious institutions, schools and civic organizations throughout the county support the organization’s mission. Check out www.circleofconcern.org for more information.
By Florrie Kohn
###