This is the weekly report to the LINC Commission for the week of Nov. 16, 2011. Our board is deeply interested in our work and wanted to learn about -- and share with others -- the great things LINC is helping to accomplish.

Organization challenges KC to "Eat Local for the Holidays"     

This holiday season families and individuals in Kansas City are urged to take a closer look at their plates.

The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition is recruiting Kansas Citians to pledge that at least one item at their holiday meal will be a healthy, locally produced food.

To take the pledge, and for more resources and information, visit www.eatlocalkc.net. There you can see how eating locally benefits you and your community, use the guide to find out what foods are in season and where to buy them, or try one of the suggested recipes using local foods.

GKCFPC is an alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses and government representatives who work to promote policies that impact the nutritional, economic, social and environmental health of Greater Kansas City. It advocates for food that is the best for our bodies, our environment and our local community.

The UNI is charged with creating economic opportunity and establishing a more vibrant Kansas City with a partner site east of Troost.

In September 2011 the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce presented ideas for improving Kansas City. One of these "Big 5" ideas was to establish the Urban Neighborhood Initiative.

The UNI aims to create economic opportunity and establish a more vibrant Kansas City region. It seeks to collaborate with an East Side low-income neighborhood or area to identify and begin to address issues to improve the opportunities of its residents.

Interested neighborhoods and organizations should prepare a Letter of Interest to send to the United Way of Greater Kansas City, and must reside within a designated area east of Troost Avenue (see map). Letters are due by Friday, Dec. 2. For more information visit www.unitedwaygkc.org

A partner site will be selected by the end of December 2011, and will work with a group of key community leaders and organizations to form an action plan to be implemented by July 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce announced its "Big 5" ideas after months of discussion, meetings, and feedback from citizens. The five ideas build on strengths in the Kansas City region in order to propel the community forward.

Terry Dunn, President & CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group and Brent Stewart of United Way of Greater Kansas City are champions for this idea.

"Up with Parents" promotes positive parenting techniques, support    

A partnership with Kansas-City based Up with Parents has helped teach parents in two school districts how to rely on positive parenting.

Presentations led by Sue Russell give parents the resources and support they need to learn how to encourage their students in a positive way.

Classes are tailored to fit parents' schedules. A free meal and childcare are provided. All resources needed for the class are provided to parents at no cost.

Parents from the Hickman Mills and Center school districts have participated in the last two months.

An early Thanksgiving at LINC sites  

Families in Kansas City will have an easier time this Thanksgiving with help from LINC Caring Communities.

For more photos: facebook.com/BucknerLINC

Many sites have organized different ways to ensure families have enough food on their holiday table.

• In the Fort Osage School District, all five Fort Osage Caring Communities sites provided holiday food baskets to families in need. In addition, Buckner Caring Communities hosted Turkey Bingo - if you win Bingo, you win a turkey (photos) - and Cler-Mont Caring Communities hosted a Thanksgiving Treats breakfast with giveaways including turkeys and holiday treats.

• In Kansas City, Mo., LINC Caring Communities sites Banneker and Southeast Neighborhood Resource Center worked together to hold a food drive at Banneker Elementary. Students brought in 796 non-perishable food items which were distributed between 20 food baskets and the food pantry at Southeast.

• Students, families, and community members in the Kansas City, Mo. School District attended a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Holliday Montessori Caring Communities. At Afrikan Centered Education Caring Communities students organized a Thanksgiving food drive to donate food to a local food bank. Families will receive food baskets at J.A. Rogers, Foreign Language Academy, and King Caring Communities.

• In the North Kansas City School District, West Englewood and Davidson Caring Communities gave turkeys to families in need and Maplewood Caring Communities provided four food baskets. Topping Caring Communities is referring families to Harvesters.

• In the Hickman Mills School District, Ingels Caring Communities hosted a dinner for families and Truman Caring Communities donated food baskets and turkeys to area families.

Dental school reaches out to students   

The UMKC School of Dentistryand Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) partnered this fall to offer dental hygiene programs at several LINC after school program sites.

Dental hygiene students are required to develop an educational project for the community as part of their school work, and have reached out to LINC as a beneficiary of their assignment.

Several LINC sites have already hosted presentations so that students can learn about proper dental care.

The UMKC students prepared several hands-on activities to show LINC students how cavities form, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and which foods are good or bad for teeth.

The presentations are an example of how LINC encourages families to "eat, live and be healthy" in their daily lives.

November LINC Commission meeting    

The LINC Commission will meet Monday, Nov. 21st at the Kauffman Foundation from 4-6pm. The public is invited. 

Happy Thanksgiving from LINC