Volunteer Service Council of St. Louis

11/11/2025

This year, the goal for the Volunteer Service Council is to place 50 wreaths on the gravesites of Veterans interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, and we’re currently 36% of the way there, with 32 more wreaths to go! How You Can Help?
Your support can make all the difference! Each wreath you sponsor brings us one step closer to honoring every veteran.
Sponsor wreaths today by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MO0200P THANK YOU!

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

It's appropriate today, on Veteran's Day, to note that we had the privilege within the last several weeks to meet Steve and Karla Rosenblum, of The Kaufman Fund, as our program speakers. It was amazing to learn all the significant ways that this nonprofit organization supports Veterans, by helping Veterans with referrals for dentistry, mental health, legal assistance, groceries for Veterans experiencing food scarcity to providing scholarships to Veterans' children and MORE. Check out their wesite at https://www.thekaufmanfund.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Story to see how you may support this fine organization.

The Kaufman Fund was founded in 1990 in memory of Ralph Kaufman by his younger brother Wayne Kaufman. Ralph was a Veteran himself, serving four years in the United States Air Force. After his service, he went on to become a successful businessman, earning many prestigious awards from The Small Busin...

10/03/2025

Members of the Volunteer Service Council toured the JB Patriot Pantry following delivery of donated pantry items collected at their October meeting. The tour was guided by Linda Ferguson, Director.

09/23/2025

At the monthly meeting of the Volunteer Service Council (VSC), members learned more about the JB Patriot Pantry, whose mission is to "serve the Veterans and Active Duty Military with Honor, Dignity, and Respect" as they provide monthly drive-throughs for those who may be experiencing food scarcity. The JB Patriot Pantry is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization which accepts food items and toiletry donations each week on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am- 1 pm. The pantry is located at 74 Kearney Street in St. Louis, MO 63125, near the historic Jefferson Barracks, and is operated solely on donations. It is 100% supported by volunteers, with no paid employees. They receive no government or Military funding.

VSC members conducted a food drive and are pictured below with their donated items.

Since 2007, volunteers at JB Patriot Pantry have worked tirelessly to feed up to 180 military families per week, who need only to provide a valid Military ID or DD214. About 140-170 cars come through each month to receive non-perishable food items and toiletries. The drive-through occurs on the third Saturday of every month from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Patriot Pantry

09/01/2025

Members of the Volunteer Service Council of St. Louis welcomed Beth Wilmes, CEO and Founder of Faith Through Fire, who spoke before the group on August 25th. Faith Through Fire, a nonprofit organization, holds space for men and women to heal emotionally from the trauma of breast cancer. Their vision is to see those diagnosed with breast cancer reclaim their lives so they and their families can be restored. Their mission is to reduce the fear and anxiety breast cancer patients feel and replace it with hope
and a path toward thriving. To learn more about Faith Through Fire, visit their website at https://faiththroughfire.org.

07/30/2025

A number of VSC members attended the field trip to Laughing Bear Bakery Saturday. It was so interesting to see their operation, and it was heavenly to enjoy some of their delicious baked goods. If you haven't had a chance to visit, we can testify it is well worth the trip!

05/16/2025

As the tradition continues, members of the Volunteer Service Council had a beautiful time at their annual Hat Luncheon, where they welcomed Kalen McAllister and Larry to join them. Kalen is the founder of the Laughing Bear Bakery. Kalen and Larry were presented with VSC's 2025 financial award. Everyone was treated to an interesting story by our very own storyteller, Toni Kuhlman. Thank you, Toni, for arranging our luncheon and for presenting a great program.

05/01/2025

Members of the Volunteer Service Council enjoyed presentations at their April meeting by two wonderful nonprofit organizations: the Laughing Bear Bakery and the St. Louis Peregrine Society. It was very interesting to learn more about their missions, as they provided excellent programs, detailing how they serve the St. Louis community. For more information, please visit their websites.

04/01/2025

Sharing a heartfelt thank you from Eye Thrive for their 2024 Financial Award by the Volunteer Service Council of St. Louis.

03/27/2025

What an incredible joy for members of the Volunteer Service Council of St. Louis to recently present Eye Thrive with our 2024 financial award in the amount of $4,500.00.

Present to accept the award were Dr. Carrie Hruza, Optometrist and Board member and Karin Bentele, Eye Thrive's Development Director.

They each shared in a well-rounded presentation on the growth and success of Eye Thrive's mission to give children the ability to thrive through access to essential vision services. To learn more about the programs of this beneficial nonprofit organization, please visit https://eyethrive.org/programs/.

02/28/2025