Community Builders of Kansas City’s outreach into its community is growing, even during the pandemic, with the more visible aspect of this work being a series of events begun this summer and continuing into the fall. On a surprisingly chilly Friday night September 11, the organization hosted Movie Night at Starlight, partnering with Kansas City Public Schools, to bring a free, socially-distanced outing for kids and families. Blue Parkway Sun Fresh provided free food and beverages for all attendees. 

Coming October 3 in the parking lot of CBKC offices 4001 Blue Parkway, is a free outdoor concert by Kansas City Symphony musicians. All are welcome and encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and partake of the fare offered by the food trucks which will be on hand.

The series kicked off in mid-summer. On a beautiful, sunny and hot Saturday, July 18, Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) hosted a free food distribution and COVID-19 testing drive thru event for residents of its urban communities. Nearly 1,500 adults, children and seniors in more than 400 households received boxes of meat, dairy and fresh fruit and vegetables provided by Harvesters Community Food Network while another 225 were able to be tested by Swope Health for COVID-19.

“While CBKC is best known as the area’s largest urban developer, community service and advocacy are equally important parts of our mission,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., CBKC president and CEO. “CBKC hosting this free distribution and COVID-19 testing event is just one example of that.”

CBKC board members and staff, local and state elected officials and special guests including NFL Hall of Famer and former Kansas City Chief Willie Lanier and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II were among the dozens of attendees and volunteers who turned out in support of this community event held at the former Zion Grove Baptist Church at 2801 Swope Parkway.

The event got off to an early start as cars were lined up well before the official start time of 9 a.m. As each driver approached, windshields were marked as to the number of families the vehicle was collecting for, which guided the volunteers as to how many boxes were to be loaded in. All volunteers wore face masks and gloves as, although they were outside, social distancing was not always possible.

“It was a great day,” said DaRon McGee, a consultant for CBKC who led in organizing this community event and handles community and government relations on behalf of the organization. “It is a gift in itself to be able to meet a community need. It is all the more gratifying to have so many come alongside CBKC to help us make it happen.”

The event was packed with community partners including Blue Hills Neighborhood Association, Blue Parkway Sun Fresh, Catholic Charities, Delta Sigma Theta KCMO Alumnae Chapter, Emanuel Family & Child Development Center, Greater Kansas City AFL/CIO, Jackson County, Kansas City Police Department,  Teamsters National Black Caucus, Turner Construction and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.

It is the vision of CBKC to strengthen families and transform communities. The drive-thru event was just one of the building blocks in doing so.