While our focus for the 2025 Give STL Day campaign is locating and moving into our forever home, we wanted to share about our four core projects; all of which are growing as families in St. Charles County learn of Marcy's Project:
Marcy's Meals-Our mission is to educate those in need on how to incorporate healthier meals on a budget as well as help feed those families with meals for a week. In 2024, we increased our distribution from 50 to 100 families each month from January - October. This is our most extensive project to coordinate and fund at $60,000 a year, which we plan to sustain in 2025. Marcy's Meals includes ingredients, spices, and recipes to create 4-5 dinners and breakfast options, all under $60.
Marcy's Market-Marcy's Market provides families the opportunity to help fill the need for everyday clothing with no referrals or financials required. Most clothing is donated but is always critiqued and cleaned in advance of providing a free, personal shopping experience. In the beginning (2021), we hosted two events in the Spring and Fall. For the past 3 years, we have been providing this option during the weekdays, Saturdays and some evenings. These market appointments offered free clothing, shoes, accessories, personal hygiene items and diapers, if needed, to over 4,000 kids and adults in 2024.
Marcy's Kids-Marcy's Kids provides support to kids in need in St. Charles County area. We run several programs throughout the year including our Easter Basket filled with personal hygiene essentials, an educational item, stuffed animal, socks and of course a treat! In 2024, we provided 225 baskets to area children. Our Holiday Market gives kids the opportunity to provide a wish list. Each child gets four gifts (one wish, one need, Pjs and one bonus gift) and a stocking with age-appropriate hygiene essentials. In 2024, this program not only provided Christmas for 560 children, we also provided 70 Christmas trees, ornaments and decorations. Our Birthday program provided for 235 kids or 470 items. Parents can select two new items; from toys, teen gifts, tennis shoes or a combination, along with cake mix and all party supplies. All items are free! We have partnered in the community to provide hygiene to school programs and 300 Halloween Costumes last year.
Marcy's Milestones-The well-being of our aging community is extremely important to us, especially those in nursing home facilities. Since inception, we have celebrated over 2,300 birthdays with 10 St. Charles County area senior facilties. In 2024, our volunteers delivered 917 personalized birthday cards and mini-Bundt cakes to residents. We look forward to partnering with 2 more area facilities in 2025.
