LOVEtheLOU was formed out of the very simple idea of bringing people together all with the common desire to meet urban needs in the city of St. Louis. The organization initially focused on loving the city by serving local businesses, culminating in the first commUNITY Festival in June of 2011. This was the first major public project labeled under the title of LOVEtheLOU and a pivotal moment that propelled LOVEtheLOU forward. With the festival came the forming of many relationships and partnerships, and what was a small group of LOVEtheLOU volunteers partnered with other local nonprofits for the event has become a much more far reaching community building organization.
Since then, LOVEtheLOU has grown and changed as an organization in many different ways, but their mission remains the same: to unite the City of St. Louis through meaningful relationships with a loving foundation. Since 2010, the LOVEtheLOU staff has been planning trip for outside groups to come in and serve the city. They have hosted many more block parties, been a part of several community development projects and built lasting relationships in the St. Louis area.