Ahh, the smell of fresh paint. Today we’re excited to share some updates to our newsletter design. We hope these changes will help us deliver an even better reader experience — but as with most remodels, we may experience a few hiccups along the way.
If your email doesn’t look quite right or if you have feedback on ways we can continue to improve, please drop us a line.
Like a good neighbor
Help is on the way. | Picture by @dellalambcs
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Kansas City to support with your time.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a health care enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 30+ ways to get involved in Kansas City.
If you want to help your neighbors in need
reStart | This organization fights homelessness and helps 400 people each day through prevention, outreach, shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing.
Kaw Valley Center Kansas | KVC provides family support, foster care, preventative services, and family reunification. Volunteers can support foster families, provide meals, sort clothing donations, and help plan events.
If you want to feed your community
The Prospect KC | Five initiatives under The Prospect’s umbrella serve Kansas City’s Eastside: Culinary Job Training, Kitchen Confidence, Real Food for Real People, Stir the Pot, and Making a Chef. Want to see their cooks in the kitchen? Check out The Nook in the Central Library.
Harvesters | This metro food service aids 387,000 people in its 26-county service area by providing meals. It has volunteer opportunities both in-person and from the comfort of your own home.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Operation Breakthrough | This nonprofit provides education, emergency services, and programs for kids and families in poverty. Volunteers work in classrooms.
Big Brothers Big Sisters KC | Volunteers can become a “big” to a “little” in need, or there are opportunities to donate clothes and give financially.
Arts + outdoors
ScrapsKC | This nonprofit turns scrap materials into purchasable craft, art, and home goods. Volunteer opportunities include managing + sorting the store.
Willa’s Books and Vinyl | The longest-standing Black-owned bookstore in Missouri, this KC gem is seeking volunteers to help with inventory management to help keep its doors open.
KC Wheel: Downtown Kansas City’s Newest Landmark| Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 12-1 p.m. | Free with RSVP | Helzberg Auditorium — Central Library | Get an inside look at how KC’s latest attraction was built.
Gold Over America Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | T-Mobile Center | $68+ | Starring Simone Biles, prepare for a pop concert-style spectacle showcasing athletic brilliance, championship journeys, and of course, the Gold Squad dancers.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Electric Poe | Thursday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | Union Cemetery | $19+ | Treat yourself and your family to superb acting accompanied by atmospheric underscoring in front of Union Cemetery’s “Holding Vault.”
Friday, Oct. 18
Planet Anime KC | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Kansas City Convention Center | $10+ | This con has everything — a cosplay contest, a car show, all the voice actors from the insta-hit Hazbin Hotel. What more could you ask for?
Amuck, Amuck, Amuck Pop Up Bar | Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 26 | 7-10 p.m. | PH Coffee | $25+ | Your favorite soul-sucking sirens of Salem have returned for an evening filled with live music and parodies, spooky cocktail concoctions, and snacks in this Hocus Pocus-inspired show.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Dia de los Muertos Celebration | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Kansas City Museum | Donation requested | Once the sun sets at 6:33 p.m., the living will celebrate with puppetry performances, folk dancing, and local vendors while honoring the dead with community altars.
The Hunt family had a secret development in the works, and now we know its name: Michael’s Wonder World. Read up on everything we already knew — and come back this Friday for more tea.
Watch
The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum is expanding both physically and digitally. Listen to Art Bytes, its new podcast which offers low-key chats with artists, curators, and other professionals in the art world.
Planning an adult gap year? Bookmark this book. “Career Break Compass,” a new novel from KC native Laura Nguyen, walks you through maximizing your career break. Attend the book launch for $30 on Thursday, Nov. 14 at Crossroads Hotel from 6 to 8 p.m.
Try This
Pitch Perfect IRL. The 76th annual Sweet Adelines International will take place Monday, Oct. 28-Saturday, Nov. 2. at the KC Convention Center, welcoming a capella competitors from 19 countries. Though it’s closed to the general public, you can access the webcast for $25.
Today Is
Global Cat Day, aka the purr-fect day to visit a cat cafe. Lucky for you we’ve rounded up all the paw-some places in the metro. Get clawing.
Health
Imagine sitting in a busy cafe surrounded by chatter and music, yet hearing every word of the conversation crystal clear. With this revolutionary hearing aid, background noise fades, and the voices you care about come through with perfect clarity.*
Cause
You’re invited to a night of fun and games — aka, KyMel’s 6th annual Camp for a Cause fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 2. During this exciting event, adult teams will compete in games to win prizes, all while raising money for children and families facing cancer. Learn more + reserve tickets.*
Number
$125. That’s how much you can save on the HP Smart Tank 6001 printer for a limited time. Bonus: A two-year supply of ink is included with your purchase.*
Category
Sports
KC pride time
This kitty has claws. | Photo by Crest Ridge Schools
ICYMI — T-Mobile is remodeling rural high school stadiums across the country for its Friday Night 5G Lights contest. After multiple rounds, only 16 finalists remain nationwide, and one of those lucky few is Crest Ridge High in Centerview, MO.
Each of the 16 finalists were granted $25,000 for making it this far. But the grand prize is much grander: $2 million. Here’s how it breaks down:
$100,000 grant for the school
Brand new weight room provided by Gronk Fitness
New scoreboard
Consultation with football field experts
5G network upgrades
A tailgate party featuring a drone show
Want to help the Cougars win a new den? It’s easy. The school with the most likes on its Instagram post will take home the prize. Currently, the Cougars are in third place so get those thumbs moving.
The Buy
The Buy
An easy Halloween costume — snag these Inside Out t-shirts and have the whole family dress up as Disgust, Anger, Anxiety, and your other favorite emotions for a hilarious and topical group look.
I started volunteering at animal shelters at 10 years old. I used to monitor dogs + cats in recovery from getting spayed + neutered. Fun fact: We make sure they’re okay by pulling their tongues out and making sure they stay pink.
