10 Lunches Blog Post

In case you're interested, I posted on the 10 Lunches blog.  It looks like we'll be doing another outing similar to love day on March 21.  Maybe we can promote this one a little better and get 100 people involved.

Also, I'm thinking that the 10 Lunches blog would be a great place to celebrate people who are taking action towards loving other people.  If you have a story or know someone with a story of this type, let me know and we'll post it on the blog.

- Joel

Love Day Article

Here is the article that ran in today's paper. It's neat to know that people in the community resonate with what is going on.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1035243.html

- Joel

Love Day '09

Today was a success.  Really success was the only option - because we were out in the community doing something, anything, to show people they are loved.  More than 30 people braved the cold on beautifully clear day to pass out lunches to those less fortunate living in the community of downtown Kansas City.  My best estimate is that 150-200 lunches were distributed today!  Wow, it starts with 10 lunches.  Now it's 150.  What could be next?

Above is a picture from this morning, graciously shared by Tammy Hughes.  As I get more pictures, I'll share some here on the blog.  Also, a reporter and photographer from the Kansas City stopped by to do a story on the group.  I'll share a link to that story as soon it is up.

This is still only the beginning.  I can't wait to see what happens next...

- Joel

Love Day '09?

This was also posted on the 10 Lunches Blog.  But maybe a few more people read this blog.  It's time to start inviting other people to join me on this quest to serve the less fortunate.  So far, my brother and sister have each joined me on a trip to pass out lunches.  Tomorrow, my friend Conner is joining me on another trip downtown.  Next it's time to rally more troops.

So I'm dreaming up next steps. Here is my idea - Love Day '09. We could rally people to make 10 lunches of their own (or 4 lunches or 32 lunches or whatever), meet up downtown before lunch time on Valentine's Day, and pass out the lunches to the less fortunate. Why not show some love on Valentine's Day?  Plus, it's a Saturday, so more people would be available.

It wouldn't have to be exclusive to Kansas City. If people were interested in doing it other places, that would be cool too.

Let me know if you are interested - joelrthomason@gmail.com or 10lunches@gmail.com or just post a comment to this blog post.

- Joel

Around Kansas City

These are some pictures that I took as I walked around Kansas City passing out lunches. You can see more here.  While you are at it, check out the 10 Lunches blog.  I just posted something and need your feedback!

- Joel

© Joel Thomason

© Joel Thomason

© Joel Thomason

10 Lunches

The Scout © Joel Thomason

So this idea to creatively serve people in simple ways has generated a warm response.  In an effort to move with this momentum and explore the possibilities of this idea growing arms and legs, I've created a blog and a Twitter.  We're calling whatever this is "10 Lunches" (thanks to Blake Area for the name).  So you can check out the 10 Lunches blog, which is currently a work in progress, here or from the links on the right side of the screen.  If you are a Twitter-er, you can follow 10 Lunches on Twitter here.  

If you have ideas as we build the content and format of the 10 Lunches blog, let me know.  This whole idea isn't about me but about mobilizing people to creatively serve other people.  So let's engage in a dialogue about how to make it happen.

- Joel

Front Page News

Picture in the KC Star

This was certainly unexpected.  Yesterday, I decided to make something of my first official day of unemployment.  I packed 10 sack lunches, threw a pair of gloves into each sack, and headed to downtown Kansas City to pass them out on the street to people less fortunate than me.  Along the way, a Kansas City Star reporter saw me and asked to follow me on my walk through the city.  This was the result.  A front page story in today's Kansas City Star.  

This certainly isn't about me.  I just want to love people.  But it has got me thinking.  Consider this the beginning of something I'm calling the Tender Culture Project.  A movement, which may later turn into an organization, to care for people in Kansas City, across the nation, and around the world.  Let's see where this thing goes.

- Joel