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Milestone moment: Garden at Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC collects 10,000 pounds of food

crown garden.jpg
Posted at 1:14 PM, Jun 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-24 14:14:19-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When you combine America’s Heartland with the American company known for messages from the heart, you have a very productive combination. The partnership between Hallmark and the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Kansas City, Missouri, reached a milestone last week.

Volunteers collected the 10,000th pound of produce from a fruit and vegetable garden on the grounds of the Ronald McDonald House.

Hallmark launched the Crown Garden eight years ago. The Ronald McDonald House is located across Gillham Road from the greeting card corporation’s headquarters. Volunteers come tend to the garden before, during or after their shifts.

The blackberries, garlic, kale, carrots, onions, and variety of other items volunteers collect travel about 60 steps to the kitchen of the Ronald McDonald house to feed families staying at the facility.

“The love, the care, the goodwill that goes in to the food at Ronald McDonald House makes it extra special and delicious,” explained CEO Tami Greenberg.

The charity serves 7,000 families each year at its Kansas City location. One of the families benefiting with a place to stay and eat is the Crow family from Goodland, Kansas. Stacy’s 11-year-old son Ricky is going through rehab after surgery that should help him take his first steps.

“To be able to see what each of these volunteers do, it is rewarding to see,” Crow said. “I hope someday, when we're on a different level and not here for our own little guy, we can come and volunteer. Pay it back.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City is always looking for volunteers. Click here for opportunities.