In fall of 2017, the Assistance League Outreach Committee received a unique request from social workers at Forest Park Community College. They were in need of non-perishable foods to help stock a new food pantry on campus called the Brown Bag Café. Outreach committee members got busy, went shopping and were able to fill the shelves of the Brown Bag Café before Thanksgiving!
In addition, members at large brought an outpouring of non-perishable foods to the December Assistance League meeting, further filling the small food pantry to the bursting point. This enabled students with families to bring items home over the Christmas break to share with their children.
The Assistance League Outreach program was established a number of years ago in response to requests from other agencies for help with specific one-time needs. In addition to the Brown Bag Café food drive, Outreach has already been busy in fiscal year 2017-18, providing: beds and furniture to more than 20 families; middle school children with hygiene kits; blue blazers with logos to “Gentleman of Vision,” an award-winning high school Step dancing and mentoring program; clothing and coats to Lift for Life Gym; plus school supplies, washers, dryers and refrigerators to those without anywhere else to turn for help.
The needs are great in the Saint Louis area but the members of Assistance League are busy every day trying to meet as many of those needs as possible!
