Little Bit's "Journey"
Written by Carrie Edelstein
The annual “Join the Journey” gala- the largest fundraiser for The Little Bit Foundation- will take place Friday, October 16. For the first time in its 14-year history, the spirit of love that defines Little Bit’s largest fundraiser will be spread into hundreds of homes across St. Louis, with a simultaneous virtual and in-person (with limited seating) event. The theme is “Let’s come together- the best way we know how – to reaffirm our dedication to the goals and dreams of students across the region.”
CEO Rose Hanley says, “We are thrilled to be going forward with our annual signature event, Join the Journey, and to offer several ways for people to participate. It will look very different - as everything has this year - with a more intimate in-person gala and hundreds tuning in virtually from home or hosted dinner parties. But the spirit of love and generosity and unity that defines this event, I'm sure, will be just as palpable.”
Associate publisher Cortney Vaughn and Matt Morris at the Join the Journey gala in 2019.
Join the Journey helps continue all of the key programs and services that Little Bit offers to 14,000 under-resourced students in the St. Louis area every week. During this COVID crisis, students and families have been especially impacted and isolated, and Hanley says, “Little Bit has adapted and ramped up efforts through direct-to-home food distribution, virtual tutoring and other new programming that supports their learning where they are. We're in this for the duration with our school partners and committed to a mission that, for the past 19 years, has worked to break down barriers to education and create opportunity for all.”
This year’s gala will be presented by TRUE Fitness and held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown St. Louis Friday, October 16 at 7:30pm. The in person gala will be limited to 200 seats. Virtual options include tickets to the program access or the option of hosting your own dinner party with delivery from the Four Seasons. To learn more and get tickets for any of the options, click here.
*The Little Bit Foundation is featured in Sophisticated Giving.
Who we are: The Little Bit Foundation is a community of volunteers, partners and friends committed to a stronger St. Louis through education. Our aim is to break down barriers to learning for students impacted by poverty and trauma, and to empower them to achieve their academic goals and dreams for the future. Little Bit began in 2001, when the founders became aware of the many unmet needs in St. Louis schools and communities that are impacting student success.
What we do: We address the barriers that impede student attendance, classroom engagement and school performance, such as food insecurity, undiagnosed health conditions, lack of winter clothing and proper hygiene, insufficient reading material in the home, and more. We also enrich the learning environment with programs not readily available to underserved students that expand their world knowledge, such as STEM and career planning. Embedded in 42 school communities, where 90 to 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, with volunteers that work one-on-one with 13,500 students across every grade level, we ensure they are happy, healthy, confident and ready to learn. The results are students better equipped and confident to succeed in today's society.
Why we’re important: Our consistent presence in school communities alleviates anxiety for students and staff because they know whenever a need arises, Little Bit will be there to fill it and we will stay as long as there is a need. Our model has proven to increase attendance, decrease discipline problems and create a more productive school environment. (In one school year, data showed that 22% more students improved their attendance with Little Bit services than without, and 12% more had reduced discipline incidents.) And, when students receive love, kindness and support, they pay it forward.
How we impact the community: We believe that bringing the community together to support the development of our youth will bring about a greater St. Louis for everyone. Little Bit partners with specialized providers in food access and nutrition, healthcare and STEM learning; collaborates with businesses and to expose students to career pathways; and has longstanding relationships with corporations that support our mission with time, talent and dollars.
How you can help: Little Bit is supported by a community of people from all walks of life and with various strengths. We have many ways for individuals and groups to become involved, share their talents and ideas, and to be an example of kindness to children. Volunteers are needed as school representatives, tutors and mentors; to join our warehouse team, support our literacy and nutrition programming; and to be active participants of boards and committees. We also rely on individuals, corporations and organizations to hold product drives, donate in-kind goods and services, sponsor schools and special events, champion children through monthly gifts and provide monetary support.
The Little Bit Board of Directors:
Michael Amann, President
Marty Akins, Vice President
Bob O’Brien, Chair Emeritus
Suzie Andrews, Chair Emeritus
Rosemary Hanley, CEO and Co-founder
Tom Chelew
Chris Emert
Michael England
Richard E. Fister, Jr.
Susan Gausnell
Karen Grasso
Patricia Johnson
Ken Mallin
Connor McCarthy
Tomea Mersmann
Karl Petersen
Bob Scheetz
Ann Seeney
Mike Uelk
Rebecca Vidal
Andrew Waltke
The Little Bit Foundation
516 Hanley Industrial Court
St. Louis, MO 63144
314.669.0040
Facebook.com/pages/The-Little-Bit-Foundation
Instagram: littlebitstl