VALLEY PARK, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
The Circle of Concern food pantry in Valley Park is making an urgent call for help on two fronts. Not only are they running critically short on food, they also need school supplies for hundreds of children heading back to school soon. A quick glance around the pantry here tells you everything you need to know. Shelves are nearly bare; some staples like peanut butter and jelly are completely gone.Early Thursday afternoon, workers were filling bags with food and other essentials for those in need. More of those bags are being filled now than ever before. Already this year, the Circle has fed 11,500 people. That's up 25 percent from last year and that was a record year here for feeding those in need.
Many of those that need help feeding their families also need help getting their kids ready to go back to school. Circle of Concern is trying to gather enough back to school supplies for 750 kids. They are looking for everything from backpacks to pens and pencils.
Executive director Glenn Koenen says people are being generous with donations, but unfortunately more is needed.
Koenen says, "We see a lot of families who they can't afford a gallon of milk for their kids, double whammy as well. No one wants their child to go to school with broken crayons from the year before or without having the tools they need to succeed. But they just don't have the money to buy what they need."
Besides additional back to school items, Circle of Concern also needs canned meat and pasta, canned fruit, breakfast cereals and paper products like paper towels. They are hosting a trivia night this Saturday, July 31st, from 5 - 10 pm to try and raise money to buy more school supplies. Call them at 636-861-2623.
