A favorite St. Louis experience—trivia night—seemed threatened in 2020 as large groups took a backseat to social distancing. We canceled our own scheduled Harvest Moon Trivia Night out of an abundance of caution.

Well, 2021 is a new year, and Circle will once again host Harvest Moon Trivia on Friday, September 17. This year, though, it’s VIRTUAL! That is, ZOOM technology will bring at-home teams together to compete in six rounds of challenging trivia. Circle staff has all played this way, and the consensus is – it’s still fun and you can play in jammies!

We know it will be a new experience to play online for many of our previous trivia players. Some things to know:

• Most of the fun at trivia night is gathering with your friends. You can still do that in the comfort of your own home. And you can even include and see trivia ringers from other parts of the world on your team;
• Scoring, questions, extra games, your table treats and more still are all part of the fun;
• We can help with technical questions and requirements before the event and during the night;
• Your registration still supports Circle’s food pantry and other programs.

Click here to register your team today or to sponsor the event.

COC August 2021 Enews

• MO Food Pantry Tax Credit Program Update
• Bike Show Benefiting Circle of Concern
• Harvest Moon trivia is going virtual

The Teamster Horsemen Motorcycle Association, Chapter 13 recently hosted a bike show benefiting Circle of Concern. The event, held at Gateway Harley Davidson, drew 25 competitors and hundreds of spectators – a wonderful turnout for this first-time event! Organizers offered great silent auction baskets and some attractive raffle prizes.

Members of the group visited Circle to present a $2,000 check in support of kids’ programs, like our Back to School event, which sends area children back to school with the supplies they need; and our Summer Opportunities program, which helps area kids to attend swim lessons, sports or music camps, and other enriching activities.

COC August 2021 Enews

• MO Food Pantry Tax Credit Program Update
• Bike Show Benefiting Circle of Concern
• Harvest Moon trivia is going virtual

Have you heard? Important update about the MO Food Pantry Tax Credit Program

In case the news has yet to reach you, a few important updates to the Missouri Food Pantry tax credit program were recently announced. For the first time, Missouri reached the $1.75 million state allocation of Food Pantry Tax Credits (for the 2020 tax year). That means that donors claimed more than $1.75 million in food pantry tax credits this spring. Per state statute, it also means that all claims for the credits will be apportioned equally among those who submitted a tax credit form and filed a valid claim. So, what does that mean for you?

The good news is that you can claim the remaining 10.1 percent of your anticipated tax credit by resubmitting your 2020 tax return – marked “Amended” – by April 15, 2022 to the Missouri Department of Revenue. It’s important to know that the final amount will be awarded from the 2021 pool of credits and that you will receive it next year at about this time.

More good news is that you can still take full advantage of the tax credit for donations made this year, submitting your claim as you normally would with your 2021 state tax return by April 15, 2022. Any residual credit owed to you from 2019 or 2020 will not reduce your claim for any 2021 giving.

We understand that this unusual situation was due to delayed 2019 tax filings – and unprecedented giving to Missouri pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in 2020. While we are grateful that so many donated so generously, we recognize that this situation creates an extra step for our donors, and we apologize for the inconvenience. While there is some chance that delayed 2020 filings could create this situation again next spring, we feel it is unlikely, as organizations like Circle are seeing a more “normal” year in terms of giving.

For more information about your tax credits, please call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573.751.3220. Staff members there are very helpful and can quickly look up any details about your claim.

Thank you for your generous giving, and for putting the food pantry tax credit to work for our client families!

With warm regards,

The staff of Circle of Concern

COC August 2021 Enews

• MO Food Pantry Tax Credit Program Update
• Bike Show Benefiting Circle of Concern
• Harvest Moon trivia is going virtual

Save the date for Friday, June 18^th for a dine-out event at El Toluco benefiting Circle of Concern. Drop by El Toluco between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., order delicious food, and Circle will receive 20% of the proceeds. It’s that easy. El Toluco Taqueria & Market at 14234 Manchester Road is one of the 100 Best Restaurants in St. Louis, according to local food writer, Ian Froeb. At Circle, it’s one of our favorites, too!

COC May 2021 Enews

• Over the moon… Harvest Moon Trivia Night
• A much needed helping hand
• Dine-out for Circle

When people first come to Circle, they are often broken and struggling to get their legs back under themselves after a job loss, an illness or—through this past year—the many challenges of surviving a pandemic. The stories they tell are all poignant; some give a special tug to the heartstrings…

Edward* is struggling. His neurological condition makes it difficult to swallow, and he can’t walk or leave the house much because there’s no ramp for his wheelchair. His wife hasn’t been able to find a job since COVID ended the one she had.

Lynn thought she had enough money to retire modestly. Illness took much of her savings, so she rents a room at a relative’s house, leaving almost nothing for food.

Gloria’s husband left the family when their youngest child wasn’t quite a year old. Child support sometimes comes; often it doesn’t. Food stamps help a little, but beyond food and a little help, what she really needs is employment.

Circle’s food pantry and wrap-around services were there to assist Edward, Gloria and Lynn; will you consider making a contribution to Circle to help the work continue?

Your gift at this time of year is what ensures we have food to share even when community food and fund drives dwindle for the summer. Your generosity is how a family has the electricity to run a fan when the temperature climbs. Your investment in our programs is why a new scholarship recipient celebrates the hope of education to end the cycle of poverty.

Please know that our clients are very grateful to you for helping them get a leg up. We are grateful for your compassion that helps people stand on their own two feet again.

Thank you for reading this letter and considering sending a gift to accomplish the work of Circle.

Thank you for being our kindly companion in the care of others. With gratitude and best wishes for your good health,

— Cyndi Miller
Executive Director

COC May 2021 Enews

• Over the moon… Harvest Moon Trivia Night
• A much needed helping hand
• Dine-out for Circle

We’re excited to announce our annual Harvest Moon Trivia Night will be held on September 17, 2021. The event will be virtual this year, but you can expect the same level of fun you’ve come to expect from a Circle event!

Participants will enjoy six fun rounds of trivia, raffle items, and a virtual good time. 100% of the proceeds from this event support the programs of Circle of Concern. Visit our website circleofconcern.org to register your team!

We also have sponsorship opportunities available if you or your company want to support the event in a bigger role.

Presenting Sponsor – $5,000 (exclusive opportunity)

Step up in a big way as our presenting sponsor, and receive prominent recognition as our lead sponsor. Includes special mentions throughout the event and a brief virtual speaking opportunity (recorded or live); logo on event materials, Circle website and in a Circle newsletter article; special Facebook mention with a link to your website or Facebook page; and two teams of eight. Teams will enjoy (6) rounds of trivia, (6) mulligans per team and (3) raffle tickets for each team member; plus two Harvest Moon Party Baskets filled with snacks, wine and other surprises.

Technology Sponsor – $2,500 (exclusive opportunity)

Our Technology Sponsor will receive a special mention during the event, logo on event materials, Circle website and in a Circle newsletter article; special Facebook mention with a link to your website or Facebook page; and one team of eight. Team members will enjoy (6) rounds of trivia, (6) mulligans and (3) raffle tickets for each team member.

Trivia Sponsor – $1,000

Trivia Sponsors will enjoy a special mention during the event, recognition in a Circle newsletter article; a Facebook mention and one team of eight. Team members will enjoy (6) rounds of trivia.

Round Sponsor – $500

Round sponsors will receive a special mention and listing during one round of trivia; and one team of eight. Team members will enjoy (6) rounds of trivia.

Contact Stephanie – stephanie@circleofconcern.org or Cyndi – cyndi@circleofconcern.org or call us at 636.861.2623 for more information.

COC May 2021 Enews

• Over the moon… Harvest Moon Trivia Night
• A much needed helping hand
• Dine-out for Circle

Members of Manchester United Methodist Church pose for a photo after dropping off personal care items.

Circle of Concern has a long history tied to local congregations. The organization was founded in the mid 60’s by people from a handful of local congregations wanting to help families in need. Today, Circle’s relationships with neighboring congregations in West St. Louis County still remain an invaluable asset to the organization. Their support – in the form of food and financial gifts; and volunteer hours – continue to make a significant impact on the families Circle serves.

Most recent examples of faith-based generosity came from Living Word Church in Wildwood and Pathfinder Church in Ellisville. Circle of Concern was named a 2021 Signature Mission by Living Word Church in Wildwood. With this designation comes a major commitment in funding and volunteer support.  We are so honored – and grateful. Living Word has been a long-time friend to Circle’s client families, contributing food, funds and volunteer hours.

Pathfinder Church Community Engagement Director, David Jameson, recently came to visit and delivered a large cash donation from the church. He explained that the congregation and leadership decided to donate 100 percent of the collections from a recent weekend service to help families with basic and emergency needs. They split the proceeds between Circle of Concern Food Pantry and a mission in North St. Louis County.  We are so honored and grateful!

COC March 2021 Enews

• Welcome to Circle!
• A Note from Cyndi…
• Faithful Friends

There are those moments that forever change the way you think. I had such an occasion a few weeks ago. Oprah would say I had an “Aha moment.”

I was in the warehouse, working with our volunteers to sort through the sea of food donations that had arrived just before the holidays. Our pantry director, Michelle Lepak, and client services director, Niki Vandable, came through the door. We had helped a new client family earlier that day, and the mother sent an email – a heartfelt thank you. Michelle and Niki waited for my reaction to the note.

The mother explained that both she and her husband had lost their jobs due to Covid-related cutbacks. Unemployment had run out for one, and the other was receiving just over $100 each week. Because there was so little food in the house, the children were staying with a family member.

Now, however, the family had food, and Mom was elated. “I cannot explain how happy I am,” she said. “I love to cook and can really make what you gave us last. Thank you so incredibly much. Know that when I pick (my children) up tomorrow that it is because of you.”

Her words struck me. The hopefulness and excitement, despite the challenges that lie ahead for her family, jumped from the page. Her graciousness – it was important to her that we know we had made things better.

Finally, the simple idea that food—nutritious, filling food—can help a family to be together.

Of course, sharing food is the biggest part of what we do here at Circle of Concern, but that is just one of our many programs. When speaking about our services, I often share that our rent and utility assistance program can keep a family safe and together, under one roof. I am reminded that food can do the same.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary ways you stepped forward to help others this past year. Please know that you are an integral part of keeping families together.

Cyndi Miller
– Executive Director Circle of Concern

COC March 2021 Enews

• Welcome to Circle!
• A Note from Cyndi…
• Faithful Friends

We are excited to welcome Edie Quick and Brandi Hamm, the newest additions to Circle of Concern’s board! Edie has volunteered at Circle as an intake /caseworker for more than ten years and has been active on our special event committees. She is retired but has a professional background in psychiatric social work and parent education.

Currently she serves on the Board of the St. Louis Area Japanese American Citizens League. Edie is excited to be serving as a Circle Board member and applauds the board for recruiting members from among Circle’s volunteer ranks. Welcome aboard, Edie!

Brandi Hamm came to know about Circle as a donor and Holiday Adoption sponsor; and through her employment at one of Circle’s corporate funders – Cigna (formerly Express Scripts). Brandi is a healthcare executive with a professional background in pharmacy, business administration, account management and marketing. She has volunteered and raised funds for a number of organizations, including Make-a-Wish, The American Cancer Society and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Welcome aboard, Brandi!

COC March 2021 Enews

• Welcome to Circle!
• A Note from Cyndi…
• Faithful Friends