KC Companies Who Care!

As stay at home orders persist, many local Kansas City small businesses have decided to pivot their focus to help frontline workers. Others have focused on bringing joy to our community.

We've broken the companies who care into three very basic categories: Health, Hope, and Happiness. Those who are focused on Health are keeping us all safe or providing valuable supplies to frontline workers. Those focused on Hope are giving back to those in need, providing a bright light in uncertain times. And finally Happiness... these companies are spreading love and positivity around the KC metro area! No matter the category, all of these companies are making Kansas City proud!

 

Health

J. Rieger & Co. - In just over 3 weeks, the team at J. Rieger & Co. produced and distributed over 110,000 individual bottles of hand sanitizer--that’s almost 36,000 gallons! J. Rieger & Co. will keep going as long as there is a need. Beginning next week, their sanitizer will be available in several KC area grocery and liquor stores to make this product even more accessible. For healthcare workers and first responders, you can order here. For all other public purchases, requests can be made through Blade & Timber.

Tom's Town - This landmark distillery was able to quickly transition to help in the production of FDA approved hand sanitizer wash for frontline workers as well as the general public. They are currently selling 1/2 gallon jugs. To purchase hand sanitizer, click here.

Sandlot Goods - As a part of Million Mask Mayday, Sandlot Goods has mobilized to aid in the production of face masks. Sandlot fans can purchase masks, donate to the initiative or even sign up to help sew! So far, they have delivered 1000 masks to Children's Mercy Hospital, 500 to Saint Luke's Health Systems, 600 to the Overland Park Fire Department, and beyond. They have donated over 7000 masks to frontline workers and first responders. For more information on how to help, visit https://sandlotgoods.com/. 

Dimensional Innovations - In collaboration with InStore Design Display and the Center for Design Research at the University of Kansas, Dimensional Innovations has developed a face shield design to help combat the global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical professionals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center for Design Research at the University of Kansas worked closely with both them and InStore Design Display to provide different concepts and mockups on the shield’s design, ensuring safety and mobility for the wearer. For more info about their work visit their website.

Sew KC - This team has come up with a great way to not only support a small local business, but also a great way to support a local cause in our KC community. The CDC released permission to use handmade, washable face masks due to the critical shortage. They are severely needed in shelters, clinics and hospitals. When you purchase one mask from Sew KC, one will be donated to someone in our community. Visit their website for more details.

Charlie Hustle - These guys have created a 3-pack of non-medical grade, reusable masks. They are intended for personal use, so it is great for those necessary trips to the store. For every mask purchased, they will donate a mask to essential workers in the KC metro area through The Heart of KC Foundation. Charlie Hustle has also been collaborating with Bud Light to donate $5 for every sale from their KC Heart Collection. They've already raised enough for over 21,000 meals! For more details about how to support their efforts, click here.

Rightfully Sewn - Rightfully Sewn, a Kansas City non-profit with a fashion atelier in the Crossroads, is converting its small-batch production capacity to create non-medical grade fabric masks for donation to hospital workers. Rightfully Sewn has confirmed mask needs with Children’s Mercy, Liberty Hospital, North Kansas City Hospital, Truman Medical Center, Saint Luke’s Health System Kansas City, and The University of Kansas Health System. They hope to sell to the public soon, but are currently focused on aiding frontline workers. For more information and ways to donate, click here.

Filti & NXTnano-  Filti and NXTnano are opening up their high-efficiency material technology to everyone. The goal is to provide our fellow Americans with the most efficient, effective, and affordable materials possible to construct their own masks. Nurses and doctors being forced to use masks made of shirts, which have very poor filtration properties, is putting the very people America is counting on to help get us through the COVID-19 crisis at tremendous risk. See how Filti and NXTnano are helping here.

Hope

MRGN - A gorgeous online boutique, based in Kansas City.  During this time of uncertainty, MRGN wants to play their part to help where they can. Shipping orders will go on as usual while taking extra precautions to make sure everything is packed with care and gloves. Community is extra important right now as we are all hunkered down inside our homes. With that said, MRGN is currently 10% of all orders placed throughout the duration of the stay at home order to @directrelief to help bring medical supplies to areas that need it.  Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. To help support this cause, and to support your own need to splurge on something pretty, shop MRGN here.

Operation BBQ/Plowboys - For the first time, Operation BBQ Relief is teaming up with a local restaurant for disaster relief and will feed the Kansas City metro community during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Rieger Hotel - This historic hotel turned dynamite restaurant has shifted from its usual operations to become the Crossroads Community Kitchen. They are providing meals, to-go only, on an as you are able to pay basis. Donations are gladly accepted. They are serving Food 4:00pm-6:00pm every day. The Rieger Hotel is located at 1924 Main Street, KCMO 64108.  Text or Call 816.471.2177 to order ahead. Just tell them how many meals and a name. This will help with safe and expedient service.

They are also making larger pick-up and delivery drop-offs of fresh meals every day to our local community. These community organizations include but are not limited to: Hospitals, Churches, Shelters, Children Centers, Senior Centers.

Most importantly, please share with anyone who may be hungry or just need a home cooked meal right now. They want to feed our community. For more information about how to support, click here.

KC Pet Project - This amazing organization now offers virtual adoptions via Zoom so that you will not have to come to the shelter to process your adoption! KC Pet Project has two Zoom accounts for adoption counselors. Check out their website to see how you can meet your future fur-ever pet!

Happiness

Made in Kansas City - It can be hard to show your friends and family how much you care about them when you're spread out across the city. Luckily, Made in Kansas City has amazing Care Packages filled with local goods that are great for use at home. Check out all of their care packages here. They are also selling some wonderful t-shirts to support local restaurants! They are definitely your one stop shop for supporting all things KC!

Craig Sole - Craig has been a staple in downtown Overland Park for 38 years, and he always lights up whatever room he walks into. With spring weddings cancelled or postponed, Craig has hit the pavement making personal deliveries to anyone who needs a smile. Call in orders and send a smile to someone you love! Out running necessary errands? You can also do curbside pick up! Get in touch with Craig here.

Wild Hill Flowers - This talented team is serving the KC Metro with DIY Flower arrangements, complete with instructions and helpful tips. This is a great activity for family time that is sure to have a beautiful result. Wild Hill is also delivering "Share the Love" arrangements, Mother's Day bouquets - and in case you want to keep the beautiful flowers coming, they also have monthly subscriptions. Check out their online store now for more details.

 

With so many amazing local businesses focusing on bringing Health, Hope, and Happiness to the community, we had to join in and share it with you! We know this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more and more companies every day joining in to support our community. If you know of a small business doing great work, share with us at info@tivol.com.

We'll get through this together.

- The TIVOL Team