Like many of their LINC workmates picking up pickleball paddles on this weekday morning, Alicia Byers and Sherry Shumate-Jones were taking their first swings at the game. But they had children on their minds — the students back at their Caring Communities sites who, like them, would soon be encouraged to play the court game in their LINC after-school programs.

“LINC wants our students using their mind in productive ways. This helps them improve in their school studies, too.”

People want to be meaningfully involved in the success of their neighborhood and in the health of children and adults. Site councils, which are under way or coming to all of LINC’s Caring Communities programs, bring together the people to help make that happen.

The tournament drew 138 players to Gladstone Elementary School in Kansas City. Here are the results and a photo gallery.

Grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the Kansas City area are providing many families the opportunity to get twice the amount of fruits and vegetables for every dollar they spend.

LINC’s Caring Communities sites celebrated the power of community schools with music, student performances, science shows, art, dance, lots of fun food and more during the month of October. Check out some of the scenes.

A brilliant fall sun shone on LINC’s first Fall Festival — and on dancing and singing students, art shows, science shows, horse rides, crafts and rows of tables where community partners displayed their resources and services available to families in south Kansas City.

“It builds team work. It builds relationships. And it gives kids a sense of belonging to something. We want them to know they are important. We’re putting people in place that are going to teach them those skills of life.”

The Caring Communities Day celebration packs so much fun, LINC is doing it twice, this time heading to Kansas City’s Southland. The Fall Festival, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will bring free music, food, games, family resources and more to Longview Shopping Plaza at Blue Ridge Boulevard and Longview Road.