The Thrivent Member Network Kansas and Missouri and Caring for Kids Kansas City will collect non-perishable food items from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 6, at four locations, including one in Kansas City, Kansas.
Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Avenue of Life, 500 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
The food drive will help ensure that children and their families have access to meals, according to a spokesman.
Caring for Kids KC requests donations of the following food items:
• Canned ravioli • Canned fruit and vegetables • Canned soup • Rice and pasta • Instant oatmeal • Peanut butter and jelly • Granola bars • Goldfish and Cheez-Its • Ramen noodles • Applesauce • Macaroni and cheese
Each donor who brings a bag of groceries to one of the drop-off sites will receive a free pancake breakfast from Chris Cakes, courtesy of the Thrivent Member Network Kansas and Missouri. Chris Cakes is based in Edgerton, Kansas, and has been cooking up pancakes in the Kansas City area since 1984.
Caring for Kids KC is not affiliated with Thrivent.
Rosedale Development Association invites the public to walk along the first Haunted Halloween trail in the Rozarks from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.
While there will be a spooky atmosphere to the event, it will nevertheless be appropriate for all ages because the trail walk will be family-friendly and geared toward a younger audience.
After the Harvest will be holding a pumpkin give-away and other community partners will be present with booths and resources. In lieu of candy, healthy snacks will be provided to the first 100 youth.
“The idea for a haunted walk actually happened during RDA’s Luminary trail last holiday season,” said Samanthé Burton-Bosket, RDA’s program director. “Neighbors loved celebrating the holidays on the trails, and we wanted to celebrate Halloween the same way!” Given that the woods always look a little spooky in the autumn as the leaves fall, RDA felt that a Halloween-themed trail walk would be a fun event for all of Rosedale to enjoy.
The haunted trail walk begins at Mount Marty Park, home of the Rosedale Memorial Arch and one of the trailheads of the Rozarks hiking trails.
The Haunted Halloween trail walk will be approximately half a mile long and will feature a spooky spider cave, werewolf den, and witch’s lair. Although the sun won’t set until 6:30 p.m., RDA recommends attendees bring flashlights because the woods may be darker earlier. Halloween costumes are encouraged but remember to bring comfy walking shoes.
Healthy Halloween began during the Rosedale Healthy Kids Initiative, which was created by a coalition of RDA, University of Kansas Medical Center, Rosedale Ministerial Alliance, and KC Healthy Kids. This coalition studied factors correlated with poor health determinants among children in Rosedale. They identified a need for increased opportunity for youth to make healthy food choices and be physically active.
During Halloween season, children are offered candy almost everywhere they go. Healthy Halloween is a fun and active alternative where the snacks are healthy and the candy is saved for another day. In 2015, then KCK Mayor Mark Holland proclaimed the festival date as “Healthy Halloween Day,” emphasizing the importance of nutritious options for kids and “a neighborhood culture where the healthy choice is easy and fun.”
RDA is presenting the Haunted Halloween Trail as a safe and outdoor variation of their annual Healthy Halloween event. All social distancing guidelines will be followed during this event and the public is asked to wear masks when they are within six feet of people outside of their household.
Several Halloween events are being planned for children in Wyandotte County.
Before you go, here are some safe Halloween tips, from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Get tested for COVID-19 before mixing with people outside of your immediate family; respect social distancing guidelines; and wear masks to keep young trick-or-treaters safe.
Residents are advised to avoid crowded indoor parties, and to trick-or-treat outdoors in small groups, according to KDHE. Those who feel sick should not participate in activities or attend celebrations. If you are unable to socially distance indoors and outdoors, wear a mask, KDHE recommends.
The indoor recreation center Halloween parties are not being held this year. Here are some Wyandotte County events – outdoor activities – we have heard about:
Wednesday, Oct. 27
South Branch Library
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, South Branch Library parking lot, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Trunk or treat. Wear a mask. There will be social distancing. Kids are invited to wear costumes. Candy, crafts, games and a photo backdrop are planned. For more library programs, see www.kckpl.org/.
Friday, Oct. 29
KCKPD
The Community Policing Unit of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is sponsoring a drive-through Trunk or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at 6601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. Masks will be required, and there will be social distancing.
Turner Recreation Commission
The Turner Recreation Commission will sponsor the Spooktacular from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at Swartz Field, 5142 Swartz Road, Kansas City, Kansas. Children may wear costumes, walk around the track and trick-or-treat at each station. There will be hot dogs. Masks are recommended. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/TurnerRecreationCommission.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Casa – Worship House Christian Church
Casa – Worship House Christian Church, 5217 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a trunk and treat outdoors from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. There will be giveaway goodies, toothbrushes, gently used clothes, hot dogs while supplies last. Also there will be COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 testing, with Heart to Heart assisting. Vaccines should be scheduled in advance. See details at www.facebook.com/casadealabanzaKCKS.
Bonner Springs Library
The 9th annual Boo Bash will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Bonner Springs Library, 201 N. Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs, Kansas. Almost all the activities, except the haunted house, will be outdoors. There will be stories on the back lawn, games, music, a craft to take home and a treat. Kids can wear costumes. For more information, see https://bonnerlibrary.org/.
KCKCC – TEC Center
Kansas City Kansas Community College is inviting the families of all staff, faculty and students as well as community members to KCKCC’s Kids Spooktacular Movie Night. There will be activities from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the parking lot of the Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas. Activities include carnival rides, inflatables, tractor train, a bounce house and food trucks. The movie, “Trolls World Tour,” will start at 7:30 p.m. There will be three 26-foot movie screens, so everyone can enjoy the entertainment. The sound for the movie will play through the car radio. The Kids Spooktacular Movie Night is free and open to the public.
Rosedale Development Association
The Haunted Halloween Trail will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Mount Marty Park, Seminary Street and S. Hill Street, Kansas City, Kansas, It will be a family-friendly event. Walk the Rozarks Trail, costumes are encouraged and all ages are welcome. Participants should walk in groups.
The Legends Lawn
Halloween on the Lawn will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at The Legends Lawn, at the Legends Outlets at I-435 and I-70 in Kansas City, Kansas. Costumes are encouraged in this family-friendly event. There will be a movie screening of “Hocus Pocus,” along with face painting and a magic show.
Sunday, Oct. 31
Alcott Arts Center
Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is holding a trunk or treat from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. The event is outdoors only. The theme is “Scooby Doo.” Children are invited to wear a mask, socially distance and wear a costume. Alcott is accepting donations of candy and treats. Also, volunteers are needed. For more information, visit www.alcottartscenter.org/.
