Circle of Concern Needs Help Now To Help Families This Summer

Last week I wrote about the invasion of college students at our house; they come and go at all hours, they leave a trail of junk food wrappers, soda cans and movies/video games/socks, etc.  It's at the very least disconcerting, occasionally slightly amusing, but at the very heart of the matter, it's expensive!

In June of 2010, my boss retired.  My husband and I talked about it and we decided I would once again be a stay-at-home mom (something I hadn't done in nearly 20 years).  And though  I have no regrets,  (it's better-albeit more annoying to all of us- to be home when you have three teenagers in the house) we have had to make some changes at "Chez Smith." While we have always lived within our means, new challenges have come about as we have transitioned into a one-income family.  I watch much more closely for sales, clip coupons and now buy a lot of generic brands instead of the brand names.  (I will not, however, compromise on Charmin). 

All in all, we're lucky and I'm grateful for the chance to stay home and grasp those few fleeting moments of my kids being here before they leave to pursue their own lives. But we had a choice. We had ample warning and time to plan before my job ended.  So many families in our area have not been so fortunate. That's where Circle of Concern steps in to help.

More than just a food pantry, Circle of Concern is a full-service, non-profit agency that also provides emergency assistance for rent, utilities, prescriptions and more.  It's more than 200 volunteers work tirelessly to assist nearly 2000 people a month in the West County area.  This summer, with gas and food prices soaring, the economy and job growth still sluggish and families struggling to make ends meet, Circle of Concern needs donations more than ever. 

Think about when kids are home for the summer. Whether they're six or sixteen, home from college or any age in between...they like to eat.  A LOT.  And they also like to have their friends over to play video games, hang out, spend quality time (not with parents, mind you, just with each other).  These things cost money.  And families in our area - our neighbors - need our help.

Circle of Concern is currently asking for that help with donation of "kid bags" over ther summer.  The wish list for the "kid bags" is as follows: 

Cereal

Macaroni & Cheese

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Canned Pasta

100% Fruit Juice

Nutritious Snacks

Monetary donations for kids' food

This year, the need for kid bags is greater than ever before.  If your family, like ours, is one of the lucky ones, please pitch in to help. 

Circle of Concern in located in Valley Park at 112 St. Louis Avenue, 63088.  Phone 636-861-2623, www.circleofconcern.org. 

Time to get back to making my grocery list...and I'll be adding a few things to that list to help out the families in our area.  I hope you will too.

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