The 100 Neediest Cases tradition began in 1900 when the Christmas festival provided dinner and toys for the poor. Today, the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the St. Louis Post Dispatch, with the help of social service agencies, high school students, and thousands of generous readers, proudly carry on the tradition.

Over the course of the holiday season, the Post Dispatch publishes 100 cases documenting personal stories of area residents and their struggles with poverty.