The experience is inspiring to the Pitcher community and to the other Caring Communities sites that are trying to empower their neighborhoods. “Shout out to the site councils,” LINC’s Andrew Smith said. “You have a chance to get out into the community and do some cool things.”

The LINC Morning Star meal program is part of a statewide network providing free food for children under 18. An online map and text number provides access to hundreds of locations in Missouri.

Earth Day opens a lot of opportunities for things LINC loves: Families, fun, science, future thinking and lots of learning.

And baby chicks.

Like many of their LINC workmates picking up pickleball paddles on this weekday morning, Alicia Byers and Sherry Shumate-Jones were taking their first swings at the game. But they had children on their minds — the students back at their Caring Communities sites who, like them, would soon be encouraged to play the court game in their LINC after-school programs.

“LINC wants our students using their mind in productive ways. This helps them improve in their school studies, too.”

People want to be meaningfully involved in the success of their neighborhood and in the health of children and adults. Site councils, which are under way or coming to all of LINC’s Caring Communities programs, bring together the people to help make that happen.

The tournament drew 138 players to Gladstone Elementary School in Kansas City. Here are the results and a photo gallery.

Grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the Kansas City area are providing many families the opportunity to get twice the amount of fruits and vegetables for every dollar they spend.

LINC’s Caring Communities sites celebrated the power of community schools with music, student performances, science shows, art, dance, lots of fun food and more during the month of October. Check out some of the scenes.