The CARES Act was signed into law to help provide some financial stability and relief to individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19. Among the provisions in the Act are a number of impactful charitable giving and federal taxes:

• An above-the-line deduction of $300 is available to individuals for cash contributions to charities, regardless of whether you itemize deductions.
• For individuals who itemize their deductions for charitable giving, the 60 percent of adjusted gross income limit for cash gifts is suspended for 2020.
• For corporations, the normal 10 percent limit on charitable contributions is increased to 25 percent of taxable income.

If you’re planning a year-end donation and want to benefit from CARES Act tax changes, consider a one-time payment and recurring charitable donations to Circle. Donations are easy to setup through our online donation page: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E168088&id=2.

There is also comfort in planning ahead when it comes to charitable giving. If estate planning is on your 2021 calendar, will you consider including Circle of Concern in your will or trust? For more information about how to extend your legacy into the future, talk to your financial planner or contact cyndi@circleofconcern.org.

Contact your tax preparer for strategies to take advantage of these provisions in your year-end giving.

COC December 2020 Enews

• Truth Be Told
• Contributions, CARES Act and COVID

As I reflect back on 2020, I think about the many lessons learned and truths that, for me, were reaffirmed.

Truth – Necessity is the mother of invention. Yes, it is a cliché. Regardless, I marveled at the ingenuity of others this year. Some ventured into mask making. Others manufactured life-saving equipment. Curbside service became the order of the day – and Circle followed suit. We delivered groceries curbside and curtailed large events like Back to School, our annual Thanksgiving Basket distribution and our ever-growing Holiday Adoption event.

Gift cards saved the day, allowing us to help families with school supplies, kid-friendly foods and even holiday gifts, and our clients accepted these with awe, never expecting to receive such gifts.

Truth – Regardless of socioeconomic standing, our life circumstances can change in an instant, so be kind. The 2020 pandemic was a ruthless foe, taking from too many of us our employment, savings, businesses, our sense of security – and even loved ones. Some communities suffered these losses even more; hourly workers, black and brown people, the elderly and small business owners experienced unprecedented losses. Let’s recognize that we don’t always know the circumstances of another, and that in some ways, our own circumstances can be as precarious as theirs. Let’s be kind. Then let’s go beyond pleasantries and look for impactful ways to help, heal and champion one another.

Truth – There is such good in this world. Despite the personal and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to area families and businesses, our community stepped up in big, big ways. Here at Circle, donations of food and funds spiked like never before as so many decided to put others first.

Corporate funders increased their giving or sent their annual gifts early. Individual donors contributed their federal stimulus dollars, saying, “There are others who need this more than me.” Some donated gift cards from area restaurants – doubling the impact of their giving. When the postal service cancelled their annual Letter Carriers Food Drive (a large drive for Circle), one of our church supporters organized a “Hope Wins” drive-through food drive drawing hundreds of cars, packed to the brim with food, personal care items and diapers.

When we dramatically adapted the way we operate, it meant fewer volunteers on smaller work teams. Most of our volunteers have stayed home, and we’ve missed them. Those who were able to serve masked up and jumped in, taking on new tasks and often working more shifts and longer hours.

We hate that “client choice” has had to go by the wayside for now and that clients must receive what we pre-bag for them. Our families have quickly adapted to our new curbside model, though, so grateful for support during this time and overwhelmed by the goodness of others. I remember the story of one woman who, with tears in her eyes, said, “It’s so much! It’s so much!” Another wanted to know, “Can I bring your team anything?” A few days ago, a client brought a basket of seed packets harvested from her own garden – each packet penned with encouraging words, like “Marigold Seeds. Where flowers bloom, hope grows also. God bless you.” She asked us to share these with volunteers and staff.

The year, without question, has been bittersweet. There were great losses, but the goodness of so many pushed us forward. We know that better days are on the horizon, and we look forward to the day when we can extend a hand or our arms and say with a smile, “Bring it in!” We will never take these simple gestures for granted again.

COC December 2020 Enews

• Truth Be Told
• Contributions, CARES Act and COVID

When every normal path in life looks different than it used to, with uncertainty around each corner, the road can look pretty dark. For many of us, we’re on that bleak stretch of road right now, thanks to the current pandemic.

Not one of us is alone on that road. And many of us are feeling the impact and stressors caused by what’s happening. Sleeplessness, fear of getting sick, worry over finances, missed milestones, the inability to plan for the future, worries for the health of those around you, generalized feelings of sadness and fear – these are all common responses.

“Some subtler things are going on, too,” says Niki Vandable, LCSW, Circle of Concern’s Client Services Director and a licensed clinical social worker. “Prolonged exposure to this type of stress causes your brain and body to go into “survival” mode. Your brain is temporarily diverting your energy to staying alive and to adjusting in our constantly changing world. You are also likely grieving the loss of normalcy, and thus flowing in and out of various stages of grief.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, coping with stress in healthy ways will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Here are some key tips:

• Start with your own body – deep breaths and regular stretching, along with healthy meals, adequate sleep, exercise and limited alcohol and drug use keep you primed to handle temporary stressors.
• Connect with others every day – video or text chats, a phone call, 2-sided tic tac toe on a glass door or a properly distanced driveway-to-driveway conversation remind us we’re not alone in the darkest times.
• Limit your news and social media intake – a steady diet of bad news keeps fear and anxiety elevated.
• Laugh at something every day – cartoons, family pictures, pet videos or some classic Stooges decrease stress hormones and trigger endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical.
• Ask for help – if simple coping techniques don’t work, know that you’re not alone and that help is available. Tell someone you trust how you are feeling, call your doctor’s office for a referral, call 1-800-662-HELP (the national Helpline of the government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for local resources or dial 911 in you feel you are in crisis.

Niki adds, “The best advice I can give is to treat yourself, and those around you, with the same grace and kindness you would show to a loved one who has fallen on hard times. Try to practice patience, openness, support, and understanding.  And practice forgiveness if or when things fall short of expectations. We are all going through this “hard time” collectively and trying to make it to the other side the best as we can. Try to take this day-by-day, or even hour-by-hour, and know that it will not last forever. We are all quite literally in this together.”

A generous grant from the Chiron Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation is helping our clients address mental health challenges during these difficult times. Thank you!

August 2020 E-news:

• A Note from Cyndi
• The Only Way is Through…

One day last week, I picked up my phone to hear a heartfelt message from a new client.

“This is Barbara _____. I picked up food today at your place, and I want to thank you. There are not enough words…I just really felt a relief, like something heavy just came off my back…thank you, thank you so much. God bless you all.”

What an affirming message. That this individual, with all that she’s juggling, with all her concerns…she took the time to say, in essence “thank you – you made a difference for me. I feel hopeful now.”

The Covid-19 Pandemic has delivered a year like no other. We cannot know now the long-lasting impact of lost loved ones, forced (but necessary) isolation and distancing, remote schooling, missed milestones and shuttered businesses. We cannot possibly know the trauma that so many healthcare workers have endured. While there is much to be grateful for, there is much uncertainty. When will this end?

The federal relief dollars, in the form of stimulus payments and enhanced unemployment support, seemed to have helped those most affected by the economic shut down. While we had a spike in the numbers of clients seeking support in March, — April, May and June showed a leveling off. Now, as those federal benefits taper off, and yet more companies furlough or fold, our numbers are beginning to increase.

Your support – especially during this time – is so very appreciated. Because you give food and funds to support our work, Barbara and others like her can feel the weight lifted – they can get the help they need. You bring help and hope to our friends and neighbors. Together, we will get through this difficult time. My best wishes for your safety and continued good health!

Gratefully,
Cyndi Miller

August 2020 E-news:

• A Note from Cyndi
• The Only Way is Through…

Following a brief closing in early April to shore up our volunteer efforts and further safety measures, we were thrilled to re-open our doors to clients on April 13. We are now serving through curbside delivery on Wednesdays and Fridays. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are busy prepping food and packing many grocery bags.

We are currently serving approximately 200 families per week! Thanks to our amazing volunteers and those in the community who continue to donate funds and grocery items, we have been able to handle the increased demand, however the need continues to grow as more and more families experience financial hardship due the pandemic.

You can help! We will accept food donations on Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 am – 3 pm. Our current critical needs list follows:

• Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta
• Dinner Helpers
• Dry potatoes/beans/rice
• Snack items
• Hand Sanitizers/Wipes
• Laundry Detergent
• Body Wash

You can also always make a cash donation here »

May 2020 E-News:

• Special Events take a back seat to COVID caution
• Open for Business 

Our first priority is always to assure the health and safety of all our friends, and to that end, we are following CDC guidelines that limit the size of public gatherings in the coming months.

The tournament and trivia night are the two major fundraising events Circle conducts each year. If either are the opportunity by which you normally support Circle, we invite you to still contribute by donating here, and then access the Missouri Food Pantry Tax Credit for the full value of your gift. We welcome your support and look forward to bringing these events back in 2021!

May 2020 E-News:

• Special Events take a back seat to COVID caution
• Open for Business 

Dennis R. began his volunteer career at Circle of Concern in 2011, but his commitment to service predates Circle’s launch in 1967. For him, 1966 was the year he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, motivated to guard the people of South Vietnam from the encroachment of communism from the north. While in-country near the border of North Vietnam, Dennis experienced the hell of war first-hand many times. “It was bad over there,” he says, and he has the stories to prove it.

He witnessed explosions and gunfire, destruction and deaths of comrades-in-arms. On one fateful day, he and others in his unit were laying low when shrapnel from the firefight wounded his leg, an injury he still feels today, along with Parkinson’s disease that resulted from exposure to Agent Orange and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dennis relies on support and comradeship he’s gotten from the Veteran’s Administration and the group, Disabled American Veterans.

For some, what Dennis has experienced would narrow life’s options. For him, though, there’s more he wants to do. Since retiring several years ago, for example, Dennis has taken up such social experiences as swing and line dancing lessons. As he says, “With Parkinson’s, you have to keep moving, and even if I dance one song and sit out two because I get unsteady on my feet, it’s fun and keeps me going.”

At Circle, Dennis is a steady intake volunteer, meeting with our clients one-on-one to address their needs and offer help. He’s known to take his time to listen to their troubles, as he, himself, has known trouble. He’s also demonstrated that there’s hope. We are proud that this man of service chose Circle to extend his more than 50 years of service to his community and his country. Please join us in celebrating Dennis!

January 2020 E-News:

• Veteran Volunteer
• Dear Friends (a Letter from Cyndi Miller)
• Mark Your Calendars

Dear Friends,

At this writing, just weeks into a new decade, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is long behind us. Having now reviewed a snapshot of the 2019 year-end financials, our Board of Directors will soon approve our 2020 budget, allowing for, among other things, increases to both our Scholarship and Summer Opportunities programs.

These efforts support area youngsters and young adults in their journey toward independence, self-reliance and – adulthood. We think that every young person should experience the joy of summer camp, and the challenge of college or trade courses to discover their strengths and abilities, and, ultimately, their place in the world.

Your gifts make these wrap-around programs—and others—possible! With every contribution, you provide sustenance, possibility, and hope for our neighbors in need. For more information about our programs, visit https://www.circleofconcern.org/programs-services/. We truly thank you for making this work possible.

Sincerely,
Cyndi Miller

January 2020 E-News:

• Veteran Volunteer
• Dear Friends (a Letter from Cyndi Miller)
• Mark Your Calendars

Mark your calendars! The dates are set for Circle’s two biggest fundraisers of the year, and we want you to attend.

Join us on the links for Circle’s annual golf tournament at Aberdeen Golf Club on May 18^th. Then, come out again in the Fall for a Harvest Moon Trivia Night on September 18^th at Andre’s West in Fenton.

Both events are a great deal of fun, but more importantly they help us raise funds that support our food pantry and various programs. Monies raised from these events go directly to services that benefit our clients.

There are a number of ways you can support our events. First and foremost, make a reservation to attend and join in on the fun. Secondly, invite friends and family to join you. As they say, the more the merrier! Lastly, we’ll be offering a number of sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses, such as hole sponsors at the golf tournament, auction/raffle donors, and underwriting sponsors. For information about becoming an event sponsor, contact Cyndi Miller at (636) 861-2623.

January 2020 E-News:

• Veteran Volunteer
• Dear Friends (a Letter from Cyndi Miller)
• Mark Your Calendars