We talk with WTC’s Jeff Sackrider about turning corporate philanthropy into everyday practice, from quarter‑million dollar grants to citywide public Wi‑Fi and rapid food security support. A 114‑year local story shows how structure, culture, and partnerships make impact stick.

• why time, talent and treasure all matter
• how formalizing giving speeds emergency response
• roots in 1912 and a community-first mission
• free public Wi‑Fi as digital inclusion
• partnering with foundations and schools across towns
• building employee buy‑in in a small team
• practical steps for small businesses to start
• choosing one joyful cause and one urgent problem

We sure will. We’re looking forward to it. It’s always a lot of fun on March 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn

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We share how Flint Hills Breadbasket transformed into a grocery-style space that welcomes 800–900 families each week and why demand continues to rise. We also spotlight the Super Bowl food drive, our Valentine collaboration with Habitat and Shepherd’s Crossing, and the role of Grow Green Match Day in stabilizing support.

• rising demand after relocation and during government shutdown
• grocery-style, dignified shopping experience that eases fear
• volunteers, Knights of Columbus, and store partners enabling smooth drives
• Super Bowl food drive logistics across Dillons and Hy-Vee
• how to give if you cannot attend in person
• collaboration with Habitat and Shepherd’s Crossing on Valentine’s event
• how joint events expand reach and reduce duplication
• Grow Green Match Day as a key budget stabilizer
• guidance on healthier donation choices for pantry shelves

Super Bowl Saturday. Dillons locations and Hy-Vee collection efforts for soups, dry food, hygiene items. FlintHillsBreadbasket.org is where you can find out more and also help out financially if you are so inclined

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We spotlight the Manhattan Polar Plunge and how one brave jump funds health screenings, Unified sports, and leadership for 10,000 Special Olympics Kansas athletes. Katelyn Andrist and Corporal Rachel Pate share how athletes and officers build real inclusion, one cheer and costume at a time.

• Polar Plunge purpose, date, location, and $100 fundraising minimum
• Healthy Athletes screenings and statewide impact
• Unified sports with K‑State volunteers and community teams
• Law Enforcement Torch Run partnership and officer participation
• Costume tips, heated tents, and event flow
• Why saying athletes’ names and showing up matters
• How to register, form teams, and out-fundraise RCPD
• Statewide plunges and school-led “cool school” events

Register at soks.org for the Manhattan Polar Plunge on February 14 at Tuttle Creek Lake State Park. Registration opens at 10 a.m., teams start at 11 a.m.

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We showcase how Manhattan Area Technical College aligns new programs with real employer demand, turning education into high-wage jobs and community growth. From a community-driven campus to regional testing and NBAF-ready talent, we map the path from skill to paycheck.

• New plumbing, electrical, and cybersecurity-focused IT programs
• Community building as shared training and meeting space
• Employer connections that speed hiring for high-demand roles
• NBAF job alignment in electricians, ops techs, and lab techs
• Workforce housing pressures tied to talent growth
• Regional testing center drawing thousands across states
• Enrollment gains and second welding cohort launch
• Graduate earnings including linemen averaging $103k
• Strong ROI with lower tuition and faster completion
• Funding gaps and tangible ways to support technical education

You can always find out more about the mission that they have and the work and how you can help at the website, which is manhattantech.edu

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We share a candid talk with RCPD Director Brian Peete on preventing targeted violence by training first responders to recognize behavioral indicators and respond with empathy. The conversation spans homelessness, social media, political rhetoric, and the mission of Prevent the Aftermath to build standardized, research-based training and tools.

• community empathy versus criminalization of crisis
• differences between East Coast and Manhattan KS approaches
• what behavioral indicators look like in real cases
• why many incidents have domestic roots
• limits of facility hardening without proactive prevention
• active shooter trainings and current national gaps
• social media signals and triage
• depolarizing rhetoric to reduce risk
• building a standardized assessment tool and training plan
• how donations accelerate national rollout

“Preventtheaftermath.org is the website.” “Right now we need donations… we’re trying to raise $200,000 to $250,000… then we can begin training first responders.” “Be that light in the world that you want to see in the world.”

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We share how Center of Hope Ministry grew from a church basement to the Douglas School Annex to meet soaring demand for overnight warming shelter, and why local partnerships, volunteers, and small business fundraisers keep the doors open. A year-round shelter vision takes shape as we break down staffing, funding, and the rising need for cots, snacks, and safe space for families.

• mission to provide safe overnight shelter and warmth
• move to Douglas Annex with capacity up to 43 guests
• rising demand shown by bed night and guest data
• volunteer-powered model supported by targeted overnight staff
• local funding approach without state or federal dollars
• coordination with Common Table, Breadbasket, Pawnee, and coalitions
• practical needs list for snacks, breakfast items, cots, sleeping bags
• exploration of a year-round shelter model and required support
• family safety protocols and rapid partner referrals
• upcoming giving moments and small business fundraisers

Log on. And help if you can.
The website is thecenterofopehmhk.com.
You can donate through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation or our Venmo, Cash App, any PayPal, any of those things.
Our Amazon wish list is up to date.

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We explore how relationship-based care turns clients into a community, tracing Pawnee’s seventy years of service, quality improvements, and growth across ten counties. We share events for the “New Day at Pawnee” campaign, Kansas’ rising mental health rankings, and a fundraiser that fuels care.

• what makes Pawnee’s model relational and consistent
• personal testimony on therapy and lasting support
• “A New Day at Pawnee” events and purpose
• regional reach across 17 locations in 10 counties
• Kansas’ rise in Mental Health America rankings
• ongoing challenges with stigma and the workforce
• training focus for qualified mental health professionals
• Pancakes for Pawnee details, sponsors and ways to help

Join us for Pancakes for Pawnee on February 17 at Early Edition West, 3210 Kimball Ave. For $9, enjoy pancakes and sausage, delivered or picked up.

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We share how Light MHK removes barriers to mental health care with grants for direct treatment, provider innovation, and awareness, and we invite the community to The Light Within masquerade to fund this work. Stories, specifics, and a clear call to action replace stigma with access and connection.

• purpose of Light MHK and the regions we serve
• three grant types and how they work
• examples including pediatric resources for timely support
• why stigma reduction matters and how we speak openly
• details for The Light Within masquerade fundraiser
• ticket options, auctions, raffle, and dress code
• meaning of LIGHT MHK and our statewide vision
• board leadership and community partnerships

Visit lightmhk.com, scroll to The Light Within, and get your tickets

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