In an effort to help families within school districts that the Caring for Kids Network serves, a Fall Food Drive was held in four locations of the KC Metro: Avenue of Life serving KCKPS, Manual Career Tech Center serving City Union Mission families in KCPS, Graceway Church serving Raytown Quality Schools, and Grandview Assistance Program (GAP) serving Grandview C-4 School District.

Thank you to directors at each of these sites, district liaisons, all of the amazing volunteers who helped collect and sort donated canned and boxed food items, and Thrivent, which partnered with the initiative at all locations to bring scrumptious Chris Cakes to volunteers and donors throughout the morning November 6.

In all, nearly 7,000 pounds of food were donated! Additionally, Thrivent did a 1:1 generosity match to each of the participating nonprofit organizations in order to ensure food was provided to the students in each district. John Maloney, GAP Executive Director, said, “This event was a great success and really helped GAP stay stocked for the coming season.” Cameron Erlandson, Avenue of LIfe’s Operations Director, noted, “We are so grateful for Caring for Kids KC, Thrivent, and KCK Schools for organizing/creating the food drive event for children and families in Wyandotte County.”