Thanksgiving is a time for many of us to gather with family and friends to take stock of our lives, and contemplate what makes us grateful. Today, those of us on The Star’s Opinion team share what we’re thankful for:
Feeding people
This year, I’ve written often about hunger and food insecurity. I’m grateful for the Kansas City-area people who are working to help people, especially children, get the nutrition they need to lead productive lives in school and in their communities. It doesn’t take a government shutdown to understand that many of our neighbors simply don’t get enough to eat, whether it’s because they can’t afford to buy groceries, or because of cutbacks in SNAP and Medicaid assistance programs.
So, today, I want to say thank you to Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant of ProspectKC, the folks at Harvesters Community Food Network, Kanbe’s Markets, Pete’s Garden, all the teachers who do what they can to make sure their students get fed, and others who help fill tummies.
– Yvette Walker,Opinion editor
Listening
This has been a turbulent year (again), but I’ve continued to find escape and solace in music. I’m thankful for my hearing, for my parents who gave me the gift of piano lessons throughout my childhood, and for my family and friends who sing, play and percuss along — and whom I’ve seen play live more times throughout 2025 than I can remember…