Making it through the summer

Local social service agencies traditionally see a decline in donations during the summer months, but there is no let-up in the demand for food and assistance as the temperatures heat up. As people take off for summer get-aways donations tend to take a vacation as well.

Families already struggling financially find themselves under increased stress during the summer when kids who normally receive one or more meals at school are at home.

The Independence Hungry and Homeless Coalition recognized the issues plaguing needing families during the summer months and decided to take action. On June 6 the group kicked off the First Annual Civic Club Challenge with a gathering at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence.

The gathering brought together leaders from area civic and service clubs encouraging them to become involved with a summer food drive to stock area pantries and make a direct impact on families and children in our community.

The Hungry and Homeless Coalition is an organization comprised of organizations like the city of Independence, the Independence School District, Community Services League, Salvation Army, Hillcrest Transitional Housing, Lunch Partners, area churches and other groups who provide services to the homeless and those in need. 

The idea behind the Civic Club Challenge is to help replenish the supply of food needed in local pantries to meet demand and to create a project which would unite Independence’s service clubs in a common cause. 

Eastern Jackson County has a proud history of volunteer service to the community and its citizens are frequently praised for their desire and willingness to come to the aid of others. As one member of the Civic Challenge put it; “getting good things done by good people.” 

The idea of joining in a broad community project that had such a simple objective caught the attention of a wide array of dedicated service organizations.  Currently, 12 distinct clubs including the Kiwanis Club of Independence, Junior Service League, Women’s Civic Club, Young Matrons, and various Rotary, Optimist and Lions clubs have jumped on board to lend the power of their membership to the mission.

Until Aug. 1 the clubs will collect food from their members and residents of the community with the goal of collectively gathering 1 pound of food for each citizen in Independence, totaling some 115,000 pounds of food.  The final day of the challenge will see all the participating groups coming together at the Salvation Army Crossroads on Truman Road to build the mountain of collected food that will be distributed to Independence food pantries.

Interested citizens may contact any member of a participating civic club to offer a donation.

Club members will be accepting all non-perishable food items and cash contributions. Most needed items include all canned vegetables, fruits, meats and soups; boxed meals like Hamburger Helper and Macaroni & Cheese; peanut butter; and hot or cold cereal. 

Any club is welcome to participate by contacting Jim Schultz at 816-252-1100.