Governor Kehoe recently announced a $10.6 million transfer to Missouri’s Area Agencies on Aging to provide meals for seniors. While this is a vital initiative, it is not a general grant program, and organizations like the St. James Caring Center cannot apply for this funding.

Additionally, $5 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding has been distributed to Missouri food banks. The Columbia Food Bank will benefit directly, and this support will eventually trickle down to the Caring Center. However, the Caring Center still faces a 40% shortage in food allocation—They currently receive only 60% of what they need.

The St. James Caring Center is anticipating a record turnout for the upcoming Commodity Day, with families registering nearly every day. They are doing everything they can to prepare, but they need your help.

The Caring Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. If you purchase food to donate, you pay sales tax. But if you make a monetary donation, the Caring Center can buy food tax-free—stretching your dollars further and allowing them to purchase more items in bulk.

For example, a $100 donation can buy over 100 cans of vegetables. That’s a lot of cans to carry—so let them do the heavy lifting and ordering for you.

Please consider opening your heart and your wallet to support the Caring Center. Every dollar makes a difference.

For more information, contact Executive Director Nancy Montgomery at 573-265-2047 ext. 4.