GROCERY STORY SCAVENGER HUNT — some people spend spring break on a sandy beach. Others choose to spend at least some time doing community service.
Among those were Jodi Matula and her children, who participated in the Jewish Family Services’ Food Pantry Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt over their spring break. The Matulas and other families received clues to help them find the most needed food pantry items at the grocery store of their choice and brought their items back to the JFS Food Pantry, where they learned more about the JFS Food Pantry and volunteered together by sorting and stocking the food items they purchased. For more information on family volunteer opportunities, including doing a food pantry scavenger hunt or delivering food to homebound clients contact JFS Volunteer Engagement at 913-730-1410 or .
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING — This column is often the place to find light-hearted little pieces of information. Make no mistake, this item is not trivial and is no joke.
On Sunday afternoon March 27, a visitor at the Jewish Community Campus came out from the fitness center and saw two bags in the parking lot next to a vehicle. The vehicle owner drove off, leaving the bag in the parking lot. Thinking it could be something suspicious, the visitor reported the unattended bags to an employee in the building.
Director of Community Security Blair Hawkins said because of the Holiday and “our specific facility, it was decided to fully investigate and the Overland Park Police Department (OPPD) Bomb Disposal Unit (EOD) was dispatched.”
“At no time did we feel there was any threat to the interior of our facility,” he said.
The investigation concluded that there were no explosive devices in the bag.
The Campus was never closed. However, one small portion of the parking lot nearest to the fitness center was isolated and secured by OPPD while the bags were examined.
“It’s always better to be extra cautious,” said Hawkins on Monday about the incident. “The bags were full of clothing and other articles.”
The security director reinforced the idea of “see something, say something.”
“It’s always important to report everything you see,” he said. “We’d much rather have something reported and have it turn out to be nothing than later wish it had been reported.”