Volunteers Rally to Support Neighbors

Extension Master Food Volunteers' Successful Food Drive

Kaitlyn P., Community Health and Wellness Agent

The Extension Master Food Volunteers (EMFV) and Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) gathered on Saturday, November 15, for their annual potluck. This year’s gathering held special meaning as both programs recognized volunteers for their outstanding service and honored another year of impactful work across the Douglas County community.

As plans for the potluck were coming together, an unexpected community need emerged. Just weeks before the event, SNAP benefit distribution was disrupted across Kansas, leaving many vulnerable households without the resources they rely on to purchase food. Volunteers quickly recognized that this disruption would place added strain on families already experiencing food insecurity.

In response, Extension Master Gardener Karan Krna offered an idea that would soon turn into a remarkable collective effort-- hosting a food drive during the potluck. Karan worked together with Joan Spann, an Extension Master Food Volunteer, and together they organized the food drive in just a few days. Their leadership mobilized volunteers from both programs, who showed up ready to give.

The result was extraordinary. Volunteers collected 1,200 pounds of food, which was distributed evenly among food pantries in Baldwin City, Eudora, and Lecompton. According to Feeding America, 1.2 pounds of donated food provides one meal, meaning this effort supplied 1,000 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity.

This rapid, volunteer-led response highlights the heart of Extension volunteers: stepping forward when the community needs it most. Thanks to Karan, Joan, and the gracious volunteers from both organizations, families across the county received immediate support during a challenging moment.

The success of this food drive exemplifies what makes Extension volunteers so extraordinary—when the community calls, they answer with generosity, collaboration, and action.

This article is from the 2025 K-State Extension Douglas County Winter Newsletter publication.