KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Families picking up lunch at Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City noticed something extra in their sack Wednesday – tacos and burritos.
The group that owns about 60 Taco Bell franchises in the Kansas City area donated the Mexican-inspired food to supplement meals the families receive.
Diversified Restaurant Group calls its goodwill effort Project Karma. The company launched the initiative last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It delivers meals to first responders, nurses and children.
“We're used to having people come in and out," Melissa Lindsey, Diversified Restaurant Group's vice president of operations in Kansas City, said. "So being able to get out and help give back to somebody else is really more important."
The act of kindness did not go unnoticed. Dred Scott, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, said his organization has had to pivot because of stay-at-home orders governments put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
Now the clubs are closed to the public. Instead of providing dinner, clubs now provide curbside breakfast and lunch to their members. Having an extra serving of food from partners like Taco Bell allow families to stretch lunch into dinner.
“To be there to provide this much-needed resource for them helps relieve some of the stress of they may be feeling during this time. So we’ve heard nothing but praise and thanks,” Scott said.
Boys and Girls Clubs around Kansas City have passed out more than 10,000 meals since the middle of March.
On Tuesdays Taco Bell will give out one free taco to each person who comes to the drive-thru window, no purchase necessary.
Throughout the pandemic, 41 Action News wants to highlight groups making a positive change in the community using the #WeSeeYouKSHB on social media. Share your stories of encouragement by using the hashtag.
We've created a Facebook group, We're Open Kansas City, where members of the community can post businesses serving their community.
