A new client usually walks into Circle of Concern alone. Anxious, desperate and maybe embarrassed about needing help, new people often feel like they are alone at the bottom of a well of sadness. From that point, though, clients aren’t isolated anymore, thanks to a wellspring of volunteer help with food and programs, along with our staff that lines up resources.
The circle is bigger than that, though. Along with our generous donors in the community, a critical group, of which Circle is a member, is working behind the scenes to serve families impacted by hunger and poverty across the region – the St. Louis Food Pantry Coalition. Working from the point of view that, unfortunately, there are more than enough hungry people in our area to keep us all busy, the dozen members of the Coalition gather monthly to share ideas and opportunities about many topics, including:
- Enlisting volunteers
- Raising funds
- Vetting vendors
- Sharing excess food donations
- Sharing best practices in pantry management
The Coalition was instrumental last year in Circle’s launching of the Client Choice pantry model. A committee of Circle staff and volunteers visited other Choice pantries in the coalition for insight into how others implemented this best practice. With that input, we launched Choice with minimal down-time and immediate success for our clients. According to Michelle Lepak, Circle’s Pantry Director, the Coalition has offered valuable collaboration. “Sharing information, ideas and resources makes us all more effective in feeding families and promoting stability for those who are struggling. We value this group so much.”
