The Chiefs Community Caring Team spent Monday afternoon serving lunch to those in need at Cross-Lines Community Outreach in Kansas City, Kansas.
"It's always great being out in the community," Chiefs RB Cyrus Gray commented. "We have a great organization and also a great team. We're trying to do big things this year so why not go out into the community where it all starts."
Cross-Lines' hunger relief program is designed to help feed those in need on a daily basis. The organization provides breakfast and lunch five days a week and also has a thrift store on site, which is stocked with essential household items. Their goal is to help the less fortunate break the cycle of poverty.
"The purpose of Cross-Lines is to meet our participants basic needs," Theresa Swartwood, Director of Public Relations at Cross-Lines, explained. "In other words, if they're hungry or need clothing, we help provide that and also help enable them to then go out and be assets to the community. For instance, being open to listening to resumes tips, participate in job skill training and things like that."
The Chiefs have volunteered at Cross-Lines for a number of years to help positively impact those in Kansas City.
"It was an exciting event," Swartwood noted. "We serve on-site breakfast and lunches, but today is a special treat because the Chiefs are here…You could see their eyes light up when the Chiefs players walked in; they were totally surprised and really enjoyed getting the autographs and the pictures from them. It was fabulous."
For Chiefs rookie and Kansas native Braden Wilson it was interesting being on the other side, wearing a jersey and representing a team he grew up admiring.
"It's really cool growing up being a Chiefs fan, watching the Chiefs and now finally having my opportunity to be a Chief. It's been fun." Wilson said. "Being out here in the community, knowing that they support what we do and appreciate it, it makes it fun."
Cross-Lines accepts donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at their administration offices located at 736 Shawnee Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66105. Currently, they are in need of breakfast items such as cereal, milk, or eggs. Monetary donations can also be made online.
