Local Organizers Aim to Help Metro Families Have Dinner for the Holidays

KANSAS CITY, MO  – Nov. 17, 2025 – Local organizers and volunteers will gather Saturday, Nov. 22, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial for a metro-wide food drive aimed at filling area pantries in time for Thanksgiving. 

The collection, both drive-through and walk-up,  will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 on the east side of the museum’s U drive at 2 Memorial Drive in Kansas City. Anyone who donates will receive a buy-one-get-one-free admission coupon to the National World War I Museum and Memorial. 

The Stuff-A-Truck Drive is sponsored by KC Eats, a coalition of area organizers that formed in response to recent government funding cuts and job layoffs. The group is a project of the Workers’ Solidarity Fund (workerssolidarityfund.org)

“Food is a fundamental right,” said Kaitlyn Austin, one of the organizers.. “And when our rights are at stake, only we protect us.” 

The Thanksgiving Drive is accepting both perishable and non-perishable food, with a special need for shelf-stable food – especially milk and proteins, breakfast foods, and canned soup.  

Food will be distributed through the Community Assistance Council in Kansas City, which supports 30 food pantries in Jackson, Platte, and Clay Counties, and through Harvesters, a regional food bank serving 27 counties.

KC Eats, which formed in response to the government shutdown, collects and distributes food every Friday afternoon from 4 to 7 at The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. in Kansas City.  

Members include: the Kansas City DSA, 50501 KC, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Coalition for the Homeless: Beyond Walls, Boots on the Ground Midwest,. Missouri Jobs with Justice and the Community Assistance Council.