Circle of Concern

Who Can Visit?

Circle of Concern serves households in west St. Louis County. To be eligible, your total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four can earn up to $66,000 (as of 2026). You also need to live within the geographic area served by the Parkway, Rockwood, Kirkwood, or Valley Park school districts, or in the 63026 or 63049 ZIP codes, or have children attending one of those four school districts through a voluntary transfer or VICC program.

All client services are by appointment only. Call (636) 861-2623 to find out if you qualify and to schedule a visit.

How to Register?

1. Call (636) 861-2623 to check if you qualify and to make an appointment. Appointment slots can fill up quickly, so plan ahead.
2. Come to your appointment at 112 St. Louis Avenue, Valley Park, MO 63088 to meet with a Circle caseworker and choose your groceries.
3. If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please let them know as soon as possible to reschedule and stay in good standing.

If you don't qualify for ongoing services, Circle can still provide a one-time supply of food and connect you with other resources.

Items Needed for Registration

Bring documentation confirming your residence and your household income. You'll also meet monthly with a caseworker while you're receiving assistance.

How Often You Can Visit?

Clients can come back every four weeks.

Good to Know

Each visit, you'll take home a seven-to-ten day supply of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods. The amount of food is based on the size of your family. Appointment slots fill up fast, so it's smart to call as soon as you know you need help.

Food & Essentials

Circle of Concern's pantry carries a wide variety of wholesome groceries. You can choose from fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, bakery items, frozen meats, canned goods, whole grains, lean proteins, and a variety of shelf-stable staples. The team works with food banks, local grocery stores, suppliers, and community gardens to keep the selection fresh and culturally diverse. You'll also find personal care items like bathroom tissue, soap, and toiletries, since programs like SNAP don't cover those everyday essentials.

How to Pick Up

Circle of Concern uses a client-choice model. When you come to your appointment, you "shop" the pantry and pick the food items that work for your family's menu, rather than receiving a pre-packed box. Volunteers and staff are there to help you through the process.

Additional Support

Circle of Concern offers a wide range of programs for established pantry clients:

• Emergency financial assistance: Help with utility bills, rent, and other short-term needs when funds are available. This is only available to established clients, not first-time visitors.
• Counseling: Mental health care services for eligible clients.
• Career mentorship: Professional development support to help clients reach their career and life goals.
• Scholarships: A dual-focus scholarship program to support higher education.
• Nutrition education: Food demonstrations, healthy recipes, and guidance based on USDA MyPlate principles, offered in partnership with area universities.
• Garden Greens: Fresh seasonal vegetables grown in an on-site garden and distributed to clients.
• Bobbie's Birthday Club: Birthday gifts and a birthday bag with cake mix, icing, and party supplies for children ages 1 to 11.
• Back-To-School: A $50 retail gift card for each child (ages 5 to 18) to purchase school supplies.
• Student Snacks: Gift cards to help bridge the food gap for children who rely on free or reduced-cost school meals, plus weekend food bags for Valley Park school district students that include kid-friendly meals and fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Summer Opportunities: Scholarships for music and sports camps, swim lessons, STEM programs, and other enriching activities.
• Thanksgiving Boxes: Holiday food packages with baking items and a gift card to purchase a turkey or other main dish.
• Tax preparation: Free tax preparation services are available at Circle.

To access these programs, families must be active pantry clients in good standing.

Ways to Give

Circle of Concern accepts food donations, personal care items, and monetary gifts. Food needed throughout the year includes cereals, pasta, pasta sauce, dinner helpers, snacks (8 to 12 servings), and personal care items. You can also browse their Amazon Wish List, Walmart list, or Target registry for more specific needs.

Drop off food and in-kind donations at the warehouse at 112 St. Louis Avenue, Valley Park, MO 63088. Frozen and refrigerated foods are accepted as long as you have a purchase receipt dated within two hours of the donation and the items are in their original, sealed packaging. Call (636) 861-2623 if you need help.

To make a monetary donation online, visit the donate page. You can also mail a check to Circle of Concern, 112 St. Louis Avenue, P.O. Box 444, Valley Park, MO 63088. Donations of cash or food may qualify for the Missouri Food Pantry Tax Credit. Call (636) 861-2623 for more details.

How to Join the Team?

Individual volunteer shifts are currently full, so it's worth checking the volunteer page for updates. Groups can still participate through one-time or seasonal volunteer activities, especially around the holidays. All volunteers must be 18 or older. Email circle@circleofconcern.org to discuss group volunteering. You can also help by organizing a food drive or volunteering at a fundraising event. Reach out to circle@circleofconcern.org to receive an event planning packet.