Star Gives Us Ways We Can Help Locally

Okay, so we're all in an international pandemic no one would have ever imagined, we're in a stay at home order and we have time on our hands.

With that, are there ways we can help, help one another, locally, and hopefully use all this time we have on our hands?

The answer is yes, of course, and our own Kansas City Star gave us ways to do just that in Sunday's paper.

Your money, your blood, your time: 

How to help Kansas City during COVID-19 crisis

Herewith:

Perhaps you’re looking for ways to make a difference during this COVID-19 crisis that has affected us all. The possibilities are endless.

You can simply donate to worthwhile causes. That would be one way to get the most good out of the government’s stimulus checks set to arrive in the coming weeks.

Your funds can assist charities that are on the front lines of the ongoing pandemic battle (disaster-relief organizations, hospitals and other health-related groups) as well as those that help people struggling to survive. Food pantries and other charities such as the Salvation Army are requesting donations of food, clothing and other basic-need items.

But don’t forget the many organizations that have been devastated by the virtual shutdown of the economy and are struggling to stay afloat until a return to normalcy. Think the arts, restaurants and entertainers.

Your time is also valuable. Many organizations are looking for volunteers during this time of need.

But perhaps the most basic way to make a difference is simply to be a good neighbor or citizen.

The Star has compiled a list of ideas and resources, which we’ll add to as more become available. Please give us your ideas by emailing calendar@kcstar.com.

HELP THE HUNGRY

Harvesters, harvesters.org/givetime

Don Bosco Senior Center, donbosco.org

Food Equality Initiative, foodequalityinitiative.org

MCC Food Pantry locations, mcckc.edu/counseling/food-pantries

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Therese Church, sttheresenorth.org/svdpfoodpantry

Thelma’s Kitchen at Reconciliation Services, thelmaskitchen.org

Meals on Wheels, mealsonwheelsamerica.org (search by ZIP code)

Feeding America, feedingamerica.org

No Kid Hungry, nokidhungry.org

Operation BBQ Relief, operationbbqrelief.org

GIVE BLOOD

Community Blood Center has canceled blood drives but has expanded hours at its seven donor centers around the area (no walk-ins). Donors can schedule appointments at 877-468-6844 or savealifenow.org.

The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City is taking appointments at 800­-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org.

HELP THE HOMELESS

Agencies need funding, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and food. Veterans Community Project, at 8900 Troost Ave., is accepting donations, which will be distributed to agencies throughout the community. veteranscommunityproject.org

City Union Mission, cityunionmission.org

Community LINC, communitylinc.org

Cross-Lines Community Outreach, cross-lines.org

Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, gkcceh.org/community-closures-and-openings

Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Campus, hopefaithministries.org

Restart, restartinc.org

ASSIST RESTAURANT WORKERS

Curbside KC (order food for pickup), curbsidekc.com

BaristaKC Virtual Tip Jar, linktr.ee/baristakc

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, restaurantworkerscf.org

James Beard Food & Beverage Industry Relief Fund, jamesbeard.org/blog/relief-fund

Rally for Restaurants, rallyforrestaurants.com

Unite Here, unitehere.org/covid-19

HELP THE HELPERS

I Got You KC (donations and sponsorships for restaurants to provide meals for health-care workers and first responders), igotyoukc.com

SUPPORT ARTISTS AND ARTISANS

KC Spaces Fund, kcspacesfund.com

KCYA teaching artists, kcya.org/?page=artist-emergency-fund

Strawberry Swing makers’ products, thestrawberryswing.org

CERF+ visual artists, cerfplus.org/donate

Americans for the Arts Action Fund, artsactionfund.org

Support for local filmmakers, kcfilmoffice.com

MAKE/DONATE FACE MASKS

Some health-care providers, such as the University of Kansas Health System, say they can’t use homemade masks. But other groups, including Heart to Heart International and Johnson County’s emergency management team, welcome the donations.

Martin City Brewing Company tutorial, facebook.com/watch/?v=2606071786387858

The Whole Person, thewholeperson.org

Sandlot, sandlotgoods.com

JoAnn Craft Stores resources, joann.com/make-to-give-response

Johnson County is accepting donated cloth masks, jocogov.org

Million Mask Challenge, facebook.com/groups/millionmaskchallengekc

Rightfully Sewn, rightfullysewn.org

Buy one and one is donated to someone in our community, sewkc.com

GENERAL RESPONSE

Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, growyourgiving.org/covid

Heart to Heart International, hearttoheart.org

Volunteer Johnson County, joco.samaritan.com

Salvation Army, centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mokan

American Red Cross, redcross.org/volunteer

Center for Disaster Philanthropy COVID-19 Response Fund, disasterphilanthropy.org

United Nations Foundation, unfoundation.org

World Health Organization COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, covid19responsefund.org

Doctors Without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.org

Partners in Health, pih.org/article/pihs-emergency-coronavirus-response

National Council on Aging, ncoa.org

Facebook will double your donation to the CDC Foundation’s coronavirus response support, facebook.com/cdcfoundation and give.cdcfoundation.org

OTHER RESOURCES

Direct Relief humanitarian aid organization, directrelief.org

Elder Helpers, elderhelpers.org

Find your local mutual-aid network, mutualaidhub.org

Charity rating sites, Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) and CharityWatch (charitywatch.org)

Catchafire online volunteer opportunities, catchafire.org

DO SOMETHING NICE

The following list was compiled from suggested activities by Doing Good Together (doinggoodtogether.org), a Minneapolis group that provides tools to help raise compassionate, engaged children, as well as The Washington Post and other online sources:

• Arrange for meals to be delivered to those working on the front lines, such as police, EMTs and hospital workers (first make sure they are allowed to accept food).
• Send a note of thanks to front line health-care workers.
• Call or text neighbors (especially older ones) to make sure they’re doing OK.
• Leave packaged, sealed treats or beverages by your front door as a way to thank delivery people.
• Start a neighborhood hunt (bear, tiger or whatever) in which residents put teddy bears (or whatever) in their windows for families on walks to watch for.
• Write encouraging messages in chalk on your sidewalk.
• Set up FaceTime and Skype sessions with relatives or acquaintances in assisted living facilities.
• Advocate on social media for individuals and organizations that need help.
• Support local businesses by buying gift cards.

So there you are.  A great, long and I think pretty comprehensive list of all the things we can maybe do to help one another during this very trying, difficult, even surprising time. 

Again, we have time on our hands.  Let's see if we can help one another out there. 

Go get 'em, Kansas City!

And kudos and thank you, Kansas City Star!

Y'all be well, be safe and STAY AT HOME!!

A great effort and foundation

You're familiar with the Playing For Change group maybe?



This organization has their own foundation and with it, they finance scholarships for young people's education, across the world.



If you're thinking about helping any organization this holiday season, you might consider them.

Happy holidays.

Links:   Playing for Change - Wikipedia

Playing for Change Foundation

Playing For Change Foundation - YouTube

Very cool Harvesters news today from Richard Petty and Farmland Foods

FARMLAND FOODS ANNOUNCES $50,000 DONATION TO HARVESTERS AS RESULT OF SUMMER “BACON A DIFFERENCE” CAMPAIGN

Above, from left, Mike Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer; Farmland Foods, Dan Weaver, Harvesters Board Member; George Richter, President and Chief Operating Officer; Smithfield Foods Pork Group; Richard Petty, NASCAR driver and member of NASCAR Hall of Fame. Courtesy: Protential LLC

Partnership provides more than 250,000 meals for Kansas Citians and raises awareness of hunger issues in Farmland’s hometown

Kansas City, MO (October 18, 2012)—Farmland Foods and Richard Petty today presented $50,000 to Harvesters—The Community Food Network as a result of a summer-long campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the Kansas City area. During the “Bacon A Difference” campaign, which ran from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Farmland donated 4.3 cents to Harvesters for each bacon package purchased at participating grocery stores in Kansas City.

In addition, today Farmland Foods donated more than 5,000 packages of signature Hickory Smoked, Thick Sliced Hickory Smoked, Lower Sodium/Less Fat, and Re-sealable Applewood Bacon, helping to ensure families, children and seniors across the region have access to much-needed protein.

“On behalf of Farmland, I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of Kansas City for their exceptional support of our ‘Bacon a Difference’ campaign this summer,” said Mike Brown, President and Chief Operating Officer of Farmland. “It is through your generosity that Farmland is able to provide a staggering 254,000 meals to families, children and seniors in need in our hometown this fall.”

Beyond today’s donation, Farmland also is raising awareness of Harvesters’ mission by featuring the organization on the legendary No. 43 Ford at the Sprint Cup Series Race at the Kansas Speedway this weekend. If the No. 43 Ford wins Sunday’s race, Farmland has pledged to double the donation to Harvesters for a total donation of $100,000.

“Through Farmland’s partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports, we are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to spread the word about hunger relief efforts to a broad audience,” said George Richter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Smithfield Foods Pork Group.

“We are excited to kick off race weekend with Farmland’s generous donation to Harvesters. Our team is proud that Farmland and Harvesters will appear on the No. 43 Ford at the Speedway this Sunday,” said Richard Petty, legendary racecar driver and team owner.

In addition to cash and bacon donations, Farmland is committed to supporting Harvesters’ hunger relief efforts through ongoing employee volunteering and activation. Since April 2012, Farmland employees have donated more than 400 hours of service to Harvesters. This month has been designated ‘Fight Against Hunger’ month at Farmland Foods. Employees are collecting canned goods and nonperishable items with the goal of overflowing the Harvesters barrels stationed through the Farmland offices in Kansas City.

“Farmland Foods has set a high standard for corporate involvement and demonstrated a company-wide commitment to Harvesters’ mission of feeding hungry people today and working to end hunger tomorrow,” remarked Karen Haren, President and CEO of Harvesters.

About Farmland Foods

Farmland Foods, Inc., based in Kansas City, Mo., provides a broad selection of pork products to retail and foodservice customers in the U.S. and abroad across a variety of categories, including bacon, fresh pork, hams, fresh sausage, hot dogs and lunchmeat. Farmland Foods has a large and growing international business, exporting products to more than 60 countries across six continents. Since its founding in 1959, the company has maintained a proud heritage of working side by side with American farm families. Farmland Foods, which reached over $4 billion in sales in 2011, is a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods.

About Harvesters—The Community Food Network

Harvesters is this area’s only food bank and was Feeding America’s 2011 Food Bank of the Year. Serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 620 not-for-profit agencies including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. Agencies in Harvesters’ network provide food assistance to as many as 66,000 different people each week. Harvesters, which was founded in 1979, is a certified member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, serving all 50 states. For more information, visit www.harvesters.org.

About Richard Petty Motorsports

Richard Petty Motorsports (http://www.richardpettymotorsports.com/), co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and STP, and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with primary partner Stanley and DEWALT. In addition, Michael Annett wheels the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford Mustang full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is headquartered in Concord, N.C.

Kudos to you, Mr. Petty, and your organization and thank you. Many thanks to you, Farmland and yes, Harvesters, for sure.

Who do YOU think is more concerned about the "common man and woman"

And keep in mind, this percentage is a far higher percentage of the President's income and worth while, in sharp and high contrast, this is a far smaller percentage of Mitt Romney's worth.

The great Brad Pitt/Kansas City news

Okay so here it is--we have to wonder no more. From The Kansas City Star: Brad Pitt’s foundation to help redevelop school in KC The long-closed Bancroft School will be renovated into a new residential development and community center with the aid of the Make It Right Foundation established by actor Brad Pitt. The $14 million project calls for the 103-year-old school at 4300 Tracy Ave. to be renovated with the existing building converted into 30 apartments with a 6,250 square-foot community center on the main floor, and a new building with 20 apartments developed on the ground. So, great news. There will, no doubt, be some local complainer (blogger?) who poo-poos it and goes all negative but it's just good news, period. Is it a solution to everything? No, of course not--certainly not. Does it help that neighborhood and so, the people nearby and so, the city? You bet it does. So thank you, Mr. Pitt, for your donation and generosity. It's very cool, it will help and we are grateful. Very grateful. Links: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/20/3440435/brad-pitt-program-to-spark-14.html; http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/local_news/brad-pitts-foundation-will-help-rebuild-kc

"Dan Harman Day" tomorrow

It seems there is no better way to remember Mr. Harman than with a donation, too, if you can. His family has set up a fund in lieu of flowers. If you’d like to donate: The Don Harman Memorial Fund Benefiting local Kansas City Charities, c/o Tightwad Bank, 1160 SE Highway 7, Tightwad, Missouri 64735. Link: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/mayor-james-plans-day-of-honor-for-popular-tv-meteorologist-who-died-last-week

Locally-made short film

Check out those credits at the end. Very cool for message and its origin, I thought. Happy holidays, y'all.

On Don Harman: Too important not to see

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." --Plato, Greek author & philosopher, Athens (427 BC - 347 BC). Again, to make a donation, Don’s family has set up a fund in lieu of flowers. If you’d like to donate: The Don Harman Memorial Fund Benefiting local Kansas City Charities, c/o Tightwad Bank, 1160 SE Highway 7, Tightwad, Missouri 64735.

Japan earthquake and tsunami: How--and where--to help

From Yahoo! News today

By Lili Ladaga – Fri Mar 11, 11:48 am ET

Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on Friday. The magnitude-8.9 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake. Thousands of people are dead and many more are still missing or injured.

Japan has often donated when other countries have experienced disasters, such as when Hurricane Katrina impacted the United States. Below are organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate here.

GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.

SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. Donate here.

AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.

CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.

SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. Donate here.

Don't forget--Restaurant Week starts tomorrow!

That's right, tomorrow begins Kansas City's second year of "Restaurant Week", benefiting Harvesters, the Community Food Network.

From their website:

10% of the cost of each meal purchased from KC Restaurant Week menus will be donated to Harvesters in an effort to fight hunger in the Kansas City area. In 2010, this event raised more than $55,000, providing some 275,000 meals to our neighbors in need.

Diners can enjoy delcious and budget-friendly meals at 100 participating restaurants during the 10-day event. Select from multiple course prix-fixe menus, with lunch for $15 and dinner for $30.

So if you're going to eat out anyway, please do what you can over the next week to patronize one of the 100 restaurants in town that are participating in this very worthy project.

You can check on your favorite participating restaurant here:  http://www.kansascityrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/

Links:  http://www.kansascityrestaurantweek.com/;  http://www.visitkc.com/;  http://www.inkkc.com/;  http://www.morestaurants.org/;  http://www.harvesters.org/;  http://www.kj.com/;  http://www.discover.com/;  http://www.boulevard.com/;  http://www.kansascity.com/;  http://www.spaceskc.com/;  http://www.pepsirefreshproject.com/; 
http://kansascity.usfoodservice.com/SitePages/Home.aspx;  http://www.theroasterie.com/; 
http://www.kcoriginals.com/;  http://nightlifekc.com/dining;  http://www.opentable.com/home.aspx; 
http://airealmobile.com/

Donations on the Country Club Plaza---really?

It seems a huge juxtaposition to see a clearly wealthy and beautifully appointed and coiffed woman with several beautiful and beautifully, rather expensively-clothed children on a street corner on the Plaza asking for financial donations. It happens repeatedly. They're obviously from a family--or some families--of some means but they ask for donations for their school. Wth? Seriously? And why would I do this? You choose to have your children go to a private, again, not-inexpensive school and you request assistance for the school? Uh, no. I don't think so. This would be another in a long line of definitions of the word "chutzpah". Have a great weekend, y'all.

 

And these beautiful people were helping collect donations for Salvation Army, of course, in front of Barnes and Noble bookstore.(It's admittedly not a great picture--the light on the sign is too harsh--but I wanted to make sure I put thse folks up, as a way of thanking them for their work and volunteering.

Playing for Change

Peace through music