The week of February 15th is National Random Acts of Kindness Week, and we’ve been chatting on social media with residents about the kind acts that have touched their lives. We’ve received several messages and nominations, many from folks who wish their kind deeds to remain anonymous.
     This makes it tough for us as story writers, but we appreciate the quiet way so many in our community go about showing kindness to those in need. Grain Valley Police Chief James Beale reflected on the many acts of kindness his department has received.  
     “I think the best act of kindness displayed this past year has been the overall support that the Police Department has received from the community. The community support provided mental nutrition to our minds,” Beale said.
     Jerry Vaughan, board member with the Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC), shared there was an opportunity for the community to spread kindness to those in need through food donations for the Counci’s pantry. For a full list of needed items, please see below. Food items can be dropped off in the GVAC collection barrel, located just inside the entrance at the Grain Valley Community Center, any time during regular Community Center hours.
     Join the conversation online on Facebook (@grainvalleynews).

     In addition to the regular food items, the Grain Valley Assistance Council pantry is running low on several items, including pancake mix, syrup, jelly and spaghetti.
     Also needed are the following:
mac & cheese, canned corn, rice or pasta side dishes, spaghetti-o's or canned ravioli, canned tomatoes or tomato sauce, pork & beans, and boxed dinners (hamburger helper style).
     Food donations can be dropped off in the GVAC collection barrel, located just inside the entrance at the Grain Valley Community Center, any time during the regular Community Center hours.
 

     In addition to the regular food items, the Grain Valley Assistance Council pantry is running low on several items, including pancake mix, syrup, jelly and spaghetti.
     Also needed are the following:
mac & cheese, canned corn, rice or pasta side dishes, spaghetti-o's or canned ravioli, canned tomatoes or tomato sauce, pork & beans, and boxed dinners (hamburger helper style).
     Food donations can be dropped off in the GVAC collection barrel, located just inside the entrance at the Grain Valley Community Center, any time during the regular Community Center hours.
 

     The Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) is a community services organization which was founded in 1994 by a group of concerned citizens.  The original purpose of the GVAC was and continues to be to provide support and counsel to those families and individuals in the Grain Valley community who are less fortunate.
     Over 700 families and more than 1,200 children are helped by the GVAC every year.  The services provided to our clients are quite varied according to their need, but in this holiday and COVID season the food pantry is being stretched to the max. 
     With limited school attendance due to the pandemic, food drives through the schools are at a minimum of what they normally provide.
     That’s where you come in.  Below is a list of the most needed items for the pantry so that the GVAC can continue to make food one less thing for families to worry about:

Cereal
Canned Fruit
Canned Vegetables
Spaghetti and Noodles
Pancake Mix
Syrup
Jelly
Toilet Paper
Instant Potatoes
Corn Muffin Mix
Rice or Noodle Side Dishes
Pork and Beans
Dry Beans – Pinto or Navy
Chili Seasoning Packets
Tomato Sauce
Saltine Crackers
Spaghetti O’s
Canned Ravioli
Ramen Noodles
Instant Oatmeal
Mac and Cheese
​
     The best location to drop off food items would be the Grain Valley Community Center during their regular hours.  The GVAC has a barrel just inside the Community Center lobby, and pick-ups are done at least once a week.  An alternative would be to drop items at the GVAC directly, but with the current restrictions you cannot bring the items inside the building. 
     Our location is 513 Gregg St. in Grain Valley, just around the corner from the Post Office.  We are open on Wednesdays from 9 to 12 and 1 to 4, and our phone number is 816.355.0328.  Pull up to the curb and let them know you are there, so that someone can come out to receive your donations.
And monetary donations are always helpful.  Our mailing address is GVAC, PO Box 262, GVMO 64029.
     The GVAC is an affiliate of the Community Services League, which was founded in 1916 by former First Lady Bess Truman.  CSL is both the largest and longest-serving social service provider in the metro area, and serves all of eastern Jackson County through its 15 locations including Grain Valley. 
     Our affiliation with CSL gives the GVAC and our clients access to many more goods and services, while assuring our supporters that all funds and nearly all donated goods remain IN Grain Valley, FOR Grain Valley.
     Yours truly, Jerry Vaughan, GVAC Board Member

     The Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) is a community services organization which was founded in 1994 by a group of concerned citizens.  The original purpose of the GVAC was, and continues to be to provide support and counsel to those families and individuals in the Grain Valley community who are less fortunate.
     Over 700 families and more than 1,200 children are helped by the GVAC every year.  The services provided to our clients are quite varied according to their need, including:
     An extensive food pantry (over 30,000 food items given away annually);
     Assistance with utility bills and rent payments;
     Home delivered meals for elderly, home-bound or disabled clients;
     Clothes closet for both youth and adults;
     Job counseling and placement assistance;
     Referral to other assistance organizations when appropriate.
     The GVAC is an affiliate of the Community Services League (CSL), which was founded in 1916 by former First Lady Bess Truman.  CSL is both the largest and longest-serving social service provider in the metro area, and serves all of eastern Jackson County through its 15 locations including Grain Valley. 
     Our affiliation with CSL gives the GVAC and our clients access to many more goods and services, while assuring our supporters that all funds and nearly all donated goods remain IN Grain Valley, FOR Grain Valley.
     The GVAC is comprised of a paid Site Manager, who supervises a pool of about 20 dedicated volunteers.  The original Site Manager in 1994 was Rowena Via, with Mary Strack serving in that position for many years after. 
     Our current Site Manager is Donna Compton.  Overall guidance is provided by a 20+ Board of Directors, made up of faith, business, education and community leaders from the Grain Valley area. 
     Our location is 513 Gregg St. in Grain Valley, just around the corner from the Post Office.  We are open on Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm, and our phone number is 816-355-0328. 
 
Next article:  How YOU Can Help