Circle Of Concern scrambling for food, school supplies

With more families than ever before visiting Circle Of Concern for help, the Valley Park-based charity, which serves families in the Parkway, Rockwood and Valley Park School District areas, is struggling to find needed food, school supplies and other resources.

In early August, Circle Of Concern will share school supplies with more than 700 students. So far, school supply collections are off to a very slow start.

While food donations to Circle Of Concern are slightly ahead of last year's, the number of individuals seeking food from the charity's food pantry is tracking 25 percent ahead of last year's record rate, Circle officials said. The charity is sharing food for more than 35,000 meals per month for area families. The charity is giving away food much more quickly than food items are being received.

According to Circle officials, a dramatic increase in the flow of families seeking help has necessitated the charity's purchase of an increased amount of perishable items, including fresh produce, frozen meat and milk. Circle is spending more than $3,000 per month on perishables.

"The weak economy is still hurting everyone," Circle Director Glenn Koenen said. "Every week, we meet people who have recently lost their jobs or have had their work hours cut. Very, very few people are reporting finding work."

Still, Koenen said, the community is generous.

"We know that many friends are doing all they can to help," Koenen said. "That's why we feel so bad having to again ask for help. We need a lot more food and mountains of school supplies to share with families in coming weeks. We also have an ongoing need for funds to use buying perishable foods and to assist families with rent and utility bills."

Pantry items that are in short supply include canned meat and pasta; canned fruit; breakfast cereal; dry soup/ramen noodles; peanut butter and jelly; and toilet paper and paper towels.

Back-to-school items needed include sturdy backpacks; Fiskar scissors, pens, pencils and markers; theme books and filler paper; folders; and 24-count boxes of crayons.

Bags of school supplies and backpacks will be distributed on the morning of Sat., Aug. 7 at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church (1230 Big Bend Road in Ballwin). Discount store gift cards will be shared also with families with students to help with the purchase of special items and school clothes for the new school year.

Circle Of Concern is located at 112 St. Louis Ave., in Valley Park. Food donations are accepted until 3 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. Those wishing to deliver a donation at other hours should call 861-2623.

Those wishing to make monetary donations for food or school supplies should send them to: Circle Of Concern, P.O. Box 444, Valley Park, MO  63088.

For more information, visit circleofconcern.org.