SOCO Cares
We're going to
close the gap.
— Cherique Simpson, Community Champion, SOCO Cares
So much help already exists in South County. It just doesn't connect. SOCO Cares is the place to come to when you don't know where to start.
Holiday Food & Toy Drive 2026SOCO CARES
Holiday Food & Toy Drive 2026
Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
This holiday season, the South County Chamber is bringing local businesses, residents, and volunteers together to help our neighbors. Whether you can drop off food or toys, host a collection box, volunteer your time, or need a helping hand yourself, there’s a place for you.
- Donate Food or Toys
You don’t need to make a financial contribution. Making room for a collection box is enough.
Everyone faces hard times. Your request is handled privately and respectfully.
- Volunteer
Drop off
Drop off food or new toys at any SOCO Cares Collection Partner, or at the South County Chamber office inside NexCore, 11820 Tesson Ferry Road, Suite 1408, St. Louis, MO 63128.
4of 100volunteers
We need you.
Every orange dot is a seat waiting for someone. Every navy dot is someone who showed up.
Help close the gap“My focus would be getting those volunteers so that everything else can happen.”
— Cherique Simpson
Why SOCO Cares exists
“What is it that the community needs and they don't know where to start? SOCO Cares will fill in that gap for them. It'll be the place to come to.”
— Cherique Simpson
“We want to build SOCO Cares with the community — not build it and then have people find a spot in it.”
— Cherique Simpson
“This is a very welcoming place.”
— Cherique Simpson
Year one
Here's what we're building toward.
“I don't see it as separate pieces. That's the whole picture.”
— Cherique Simpson
- 0of 1,000residents connected
Each dot = 10 residents
Residents connected to resources, activities, education, and community support
- 0of 12service projects
Community service projects completed
- 0of 6school partners
Partnerships with Affton, Bayless, Hancock Place, Lindbergh, Mehlville, and Special School District
- 0of 50businesses engaged
Businesses engaged through giving, volunteering, hosting, teaching, or hiring
- 0of 12veteran gatherings
Monthly veteran table gatherings and a recurring veteran resource network
- 0of 4teen events
Teen engagement events
- 0of 4family events
Parent and family resource events
- 0of 4wellness events
Health and wellness events
- 0of 1,000essential items
Each dot = 10 items
Essential items distributed or connected, tracked by category
- 0of 25partnerships
Active community partnerships
- Not yetimpact report
Annual impact report
“It doesn't have to all happen at once. It can happen in increments.”
— Cherique Simpson
Updated regularly by the SOCO Cares team.