Target Circle and Circle of Concern
Help direct where Target gives
We are honored and excited to announce that Circle of Concern has been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!
Now through March 31 vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle
We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to feed the hungry and provide assistance to low-income families living in our community.
Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign! Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the duration of the voting!
Here’s how to vote after you sign in or create your free account:
Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
Step 3: Find us & vote
Volunteer Spotlight on Jim Hannah
Like most of our volunteers, this month features an individual that would prefer NOT to be in the spotlight, but graciously agreed to after some prodding. Jim Hannah is somewhat newer to the Circle volunteer team but is already making an impact in a big way. Jim is not only a dedicated pantry stocker, and an occasional driver, but also serves on the Golf committee for our annual event. The event has really benefited from Jim’s passion for golf!
Jim was able to jump into things pretty quickly once he joined the Circle team. For example, around this time last year, we received more frozen meat from our retail drop than our freezer could possibly hold. The team was quickly trying to find other pantries that might accept some of the meat so it wouldn’t go to waste. That’s when Jim stepped up – he grabbed a friend and got to work! After lots of phone calls and networking, they were able to share over 2,000 pounds of frozen meat with several homeless shelters in north St. Louis. One of the shelters was so overwhelmed with the donation, they said “it would be the best Thanksgiving ever!” This was definitely a win-win for everyone and we were incredibly grateful that Jim was willing to help and was so resourceful!
Jim says that one of his favorite things about volunteering at Circle is getting to meet all the “dedicated and talented volunteers” at Circle, which includes his wife Mary! In his spare time, Jim enjoys golfing (obviously) and watching his grandkids participate in their many sports and activities. Jim’s fun fact to share is that he was a middle distance runner in college, which might explain all his positive energy! Volunteering is something he really enjoys and I can speak for the entire team and say that we really enjoy having him at Circle!
Thanks for all of your dedication in moving our mission forward, Jim!
Harvest Moon Trivia 2024 success!
What a night! Thank you to everyone that attended Harvest Moon Trivia last week. Our trivia night is more than just fun; it’s about bringing our community together and supporting our neighbors. With your help, we raised $14,000 for our programs and services!
We send a heartfelt thanks to our remarkable volunteers, attendees and dedicated sponsors for making this event a success – Roeslein & Associates, Armanino, West Newsmagazine, Boyd & Barbara Jones, The Miller Family, Loomis Bros. Equipment Co., and Group Resources, LLC. Your generosity allows us to continue our mission of providing food and resources for families in need.
Shoutout to Trivia Riot for facilitating the challenging yet fun rounds. We also love having Tracy Hinson and Garry Frank from 5 On Your Side bring their extra flair as special guests!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Circle of Concern Announces Purchase of Adjacent Property
Circle of Concern is excited to announce the acquisition of new property that will expand its capacity to serve families in need.
The purchase of this property, previously home to Meramec Jack’s Restaurant and Bar, was made possible by a generous charitable bequest, a testament of the strong community support for Circle of Concern’s mission.
“Circle has grown. We’re serving new communities and seeing more families,” says Cyndi Miller, Executive Director. “With the purchase of adjacent ground, we have opportunity to improve our operations and potentially serve even more families if needed. We’re immensely grateful for the support that makes this possible, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact these changes will have on our ability to serve our community.”
This strategic purchase is part of a larger campus-wide plan and will enable the organization to make future improvements that:
• Increase capacity to serve more families
• Improve safety for clients, volunteers and staff
• Improve efficiency and food distribution flow
In the short term, the plan involves razing the existing building to create a temporary green space as the organization plans next steps and improvements for the campus.
Circle of Concern is deeply grateful for the continued support of donors, volunteers, and community partners who share in the goal of helping our neighbors move from struggle to stability.
For more information, please email circle@circleofconcern.org or call 636-861-2623.
Eagle Scout Cookbook by Anikait Rawat
We’re excited to share a new recipe book based on our food pantry. Meet Anikait Rawat, who focused his final Eagle Scout project on helping our clients explore new meals. He created this fun and in-depth cook book, highlighting some of the pantry’s most popular ingredients. It’s an invitation to explore new meals, and new possibilities every day. Thanks for cooking from the heart, Anikait. This recipe cookbook is available in our pantry for clients
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HIS COOKBOOK
Holiday Adoption 2024
Will you join us in celebrating the holidays, spreading joy and providing something extra for a local family in need?
We hope to support 650 families with gift cards, seasonal foods and more!
Children, seniors, single parents, veterans, people living with disabilities and illness – each will be remembered this December.
Please CLICK HERE to support families this holiday season!
Good luck to our recent intern, Jessica!
We were excited to host Jessica Knight, a Dietetic Student from Logan University, who interned with us for her final three weeks of schooling. She came to our organization to gain knowledge from our esteemed pantry team, Virginia and Becky, and experience what it’s like to be a part of a nonprofit food pantry. Additionally, she helped out other departments with her fresh perspective in capturing what Circle is all about. She did an exceptional job contributing to the team! We’re grateful. Thanks and Good luck to you, Jessica!
Stay tuned on social media as we’ll be sharing some videos she helped create that focus on our garden and client-choice pantry. Read more below about Jessica and her experience with us.
Tell us about yourself
I am a student dietitian at Logan University with a special interest in community nutrition and agriculture. In my work, I hope to continue advocating for a more sustainable, healthful, and accessible food system through policy change and grassroots efforts.
What brought you to Circle of Concern?
My clinical coordinators at Logan University felt that Circle of Concern would be a great match for my final rotation. I couldn’t agree more!
What skills or knowledge did you gain during your internship?
I participated in food rescue pickups and processing, where I observed the workflow from start to finish. I also learned the importance of considering food dignity when serving clients, ways to motivate and empower volunteers, and many other essential skills involved in running a food pantry and beyond.
What was your favorite project?
My favorite project was completing the Valley Park bags for students. It was exciting to see a project through from start to finish and know that many children will benefit from the food provided in the bags.
What was the most rewarding thing working with Circle?
Contributing to an organization that offers nutritious food and a variety of supportive services to those in need was rewarding. I also loved getting to know the amazing staff and volunteers!
What do you have planned after your Circle internship?
When I return home to Rochester, New York, I will start a job in a private nutrition practice and also work as a contract writer for a colleague in Washington DC on topics including nutrition policy, Farm Bill advocacy, and food rescue. In my spare time, my dream is to start a teaching farm to feed the community, provide space to connect with nature, and offer hands-on agricultural education opportunities.
Volunteer Spotlight on Keli Graham
Connections: A common theme we hear from many of our volunteers, but we particularly love it when our volunteers make connections with our clients in a meaningful way. Our volunteer spotlight features Keli Graham, a pantry and guest relations volunteer that has been supporting Circle since we introduced the curbside model during COVID.
Keli has forged a connection with a particular client that has been greatly impacted by trauma in her past. Keli has a way of welcoming her in the pantry to help this client lighten her mood, even if for just a little while. The client, so grateful for Keli, sent us a note and said she was thankful for being “part of the girls and feeling included” because she doesn’t have that with anyone else. Keli shared that she tries to be a positive presence for clients and never wants them to feel any shame for their situation. Keli enjoys the camaraderie at Circle and loves that everyone here is so “caring and here for the same reason” and says she sees that reflected throughout the building. Keli sees the client journey from start to finish in her volunteer roles at Circle, and we see compassion and positivity in her interactions with our clients.
Keli also volunteers at the golf tournament and is joining the trivia committee this year! Last year she “volunteered” her husband’s Edward Jones office to conduct a food drive and then recruited them to play in the golf outing! And those connections – still happening! Keli came to us through another volunteer’s recommendation (thank you, Stephanie) and has made many new friendships here. Fun Fact: When she recently vacationed in Maui, she made a point of meeting up with another volunteer friend and the two families attended a luau together! When she’s not at Circle, she likes to workout, travel, and hang out with her lifelong friends (coincidentally, called Circle of 7). Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself to Keli if you see her around the building. She always has a smile to share!
Thank you for all the ways you support our clients, Keli! We are most grateful!
Summer Opportunities Success
Our Summer Opportunities program has officially ended for 2024, and this year, we were able to fund a summer experience for 109 children! This program is so impactful because it offers children new experiences, skill sets, and hobbies that they may have otherwise not had access to. Through this program, children and youths participated in horseback riding, football camps, lifeguard lessons, and more. We are so lucky to be able to offer this program thanks to supporters like you.
Save the Date for Harvest Moon Trivia
Mark your calendars for this year’s Harvest Moon Trivia!
Our trivia night is coming back on Friday, October 18th, 6:00pm-9:30pm at Andre’s West with hosts Trivia Riot. You’ll experience all the fun you’ve come to expect plus some new features. Stay tuned for details!
