Families Serving Together
Serving together creates something special. One of the things that makes Open Table KC so meaningful is seeing entire families choose to serve side by side each Tuesday evening. They generously share their time, compassion, and kindness while helping care for our unhoused neighbors, whether preparing meals, organizing supplies, serving dinner, or simply offering a warm welcome. Every family plays an important part in making our outreach possible. Families Serving Together celebrates these incredible families, the difference they make in our community, and the way compassion can be taught, shared, and carried forward from one generation to the next.
Week 4
Meet the Davis Family
Meet Lisa Davis and her children, Aria and Everett.
Like so many of the families who join us on Tuesday evenings, they came to serve. But somewhere along the way, Tuesday nights became something more. We asked Lisa to tell us about her family’s experience with Open Table KC.
Here are her answers, in her own words.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’m a mom to two amazing kids, Aria and Everett, and a wife to Alex (he will be volunteering with us soon!). We also have two rescue dogs, Scooby and Koda, and two rescue cats, Simba and Sapphire.
Like any family, we’re busy balancing school, work, sports, and life, but we believe that making time for others is just as important as everything else on the calendar.
How did you first hear about Open Table KC?
I heard about Open Table KC through the community and, specifically, another volunteer, and immediately loved the mission.
It isn’t just about serving a meal; it is about creating a place where everyone is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.
What made you decide to volunteer as a family?
I want my kids to understand that helping others isn’t something you do someday when you have extra time; it’s something you make part of your life.
I want them to see the humanity in every person they meet and learn that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
What were you expecting before your very first Tuesday? Were you nervous, excited, or unsure what it would be like?
I was definitely excited, but I was also a little unsure of what to expect. I think that’s natural anytime you walk into something new.
It didn’t take long to realize everyone there, volunteers and guests alike, made us feel welcome.
What surprised you the most after serving?
How quickly it stopped feeling like volunteering and started feeling like community.
It’s not just handing someone a meal. It’s conversations, smiles, remembering names, and realizing we have far more in common than we often think.
What have Aria and Everett learned from serving our unhoused neighbors?
They’ve learned that someone’s current circumstances don’t define them. Every individual has a story and dreams.
They’ve also learned that kindness doesn’t cost anything, but it can mean everything to someone else.
Has volunteering changed the way your family thinks about homelessness? If so, how?
Absolutely.
It’s easy to make assumptions when homelessness is something you only read about or drive past.
Serving has reminded us that every person has a story we don’t know, and compassion should always come before judgment.
Was there a particular person or moment that has stayed with you?
Seeing genuine smiles on people’s faces and the overall kindness shown by all.
What do Aria and Everett enjoy most about Tuesday evenings?
They enjoy getting to know the people who come each week.
They’ve realized it’s not just about serving food; it’s about building relationships.
As a mom, why is it important to you that your children grow up serving others?
Because from Day 1 of being a mom, I knew that I wanted kindness to be something they practice, not just something we talk about.
My goal has always been for them to grow into adults who notice when someone needs help and choose compassion over judgment, and who understand that every person deserves dignity and respect.
Have you noticed any changes in your children since they started volunteering?
I’ve noticed them becoming more empathetic and more aware of the world around them.
They’re quicker to see people instead of stereotypes and more willing to step in and help without being asked.
What keeps your family coming back each week?
The people. We’ve built relationships, and Tuesday nights have become something we look forward to.
It feels less like volunteering and more like spending time with an extended community.
If another family was thinking about volunteering but felt a little nervous, what would you tell them?
Just come once.
You don’t have to have experience or know exactly what to do. You’ll be welcomed, and I think you’ll leave looking forward to the next week.
In one sentence, how would you describe Open Table KC?
Open Table KC is a place where meals are shared, friendships are built, and every person is treated with dignity.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your family’s experience serving together?
We are making family memories while positively impacting countless fellow humans.
Week 3
Meet the Sholes Family
Amber
What first brought you to Open Table KC?
I saw a Facebook post from Open Table KC in a community group. It looked like a wonderful opportunity to give back, but it has since become so much more than I ever expected. It has become a place where Lily and I have built friendships, found purpose, and learned that simply showing up every Tuesday can make a real difference in someone’s life.
What made you decide to bring Lily with you?
Lily has always had a passion for helping others, both people and animals. When I told her about Open Table KC, there wasn’t even a question in her mind. She immediately said she wanted to join me. Looking back, I’m so grateful she did because watching her heart for others continue to grow has been one of the greatest gifts this experience has given me.
How did you feel when Lily wanted to rearrange her work schedule so she could continue serving?
Hearing that she asked her boss for an earlier shift so she could continue helping on Tuesdays was such a proud mom moment for me. It reminded me that compassion isn’t something you just talk about, but rather something you make time for. Since then, I have loved watching her connect with the friends in the community we serve, come up with new ideas for ways to help, and encourage others to get involved. Watching her heart for service continue to grow has made me incredibly proud.
What has been your favorite memory at Open Table KC so far?
It is difficult to choose just one memory. Each week, we meet new people, learn more about their stories, and find ways to offer more individualized support.
One experience that stands out happened recently when one of the moms in our community was in urgent need after unexpectedly losing everything she owned. When a request for help was shared, so many people stepped forward to donate items, offer encouragement, and share stories about times in their own lives when they had needed help or had to start over. While picking up donations, I heard incredible stories from people who remembered what it felt like to receive that same kind of support.
More than the donations themselves, seeing someone who had lost hope realize she wasn’t alone reminded me just how powerful a caring community can be. I have also loved meeting volunteers who share that same heart for serving others, building friendships with them, and experiencing it all alongside my daughter.
What do you hope Lily carries with her from these Tuesday nights?
I hope Lily always carries with her the desire to help and serve others because I truly believe that is something our community desperately needs. More than anything, I hope she continues to see people for who they are and remembers that every person has a story we may never fully know. I hope she continues to lead with compassion instead of judgment, offer friendship without hesitation, and use her creativity and kindness to make a difference. I also hope she never underestimates how much something as simple as listening, showing up, or treating someone with dignity can change a person’s day.
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Lily
What made you decide to ask for Tuesdays off from your job so you could volunteer?
I enjoy my job, but I realized that serving others was something I wanted to make a priority in my life. I knew that if I did not intentionally set aside the time, other commitments would fill my schedule. Volunteering at Open Table KC has since become something I genuinely look forward to every week.
What has surprised you the most about serving at Open Table KC?
What surprised me the most is how much of the experience is about building relationships. I went in thinking I would just be serving meals, but I found that some of the best moments come from making genuine connections with people. I have also been amazed by how compassionate everyone is, both the community we serve and the volunteers. Overall, showing kindness and taking the time to connect with someone can mean just as much as the meal itself.
How did it feel when you unexpectedly ran into Jon and realized you had both ended up serving at the same place?
It was such a fun surprise. Jon was my theater tech director in high school, so I definitely was not expecting to see him very often after graduating. It was really special to realize we had both independently chosen to volunteer at Open Table KC. Seeing a familiar face each week makes the experience even more meaningful. It reminds me that service has a way of bringing people together.
Has volunteering changed the way you see people who are experiencing homelessness? If so, how?
Yes, volunteering has changed the way I see people who are experiencing homelessness. It has helped me understand that every person’s situation is different and that everyone has a story. No matter what that story is, they deserve compassion, support, dignity, and grace. Sometimes the best thing we can do is meet people where they are and ask, “How can we help?”
If another teenager asked why you spend your Tuesday evenings volunteering instead of doing something else, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that volunteering is one of the most emotionally and mentally rewarding things I do. It gives me a chance to step outside of my everyday routine and connect with people I may not have otherwise crossed paths with. The friendships and connections I have made have shown me how much we can learn from one another. I always leave Open Table KC with a smile on my face.
What keeps bringing you back?
What keeps bringing me back is the community at Open Table KC. It is an amazing group of kind and compassionate people who all come together with the same goal of helping others. Being surrounded by people who genuinely care and want to make a difference is what makes Tuesday nights so special. The connections I have made and the sense of belonging I feel there are what continue to bring me back each week.
Week 2
Meet the Hines Family
She grew up watching her dad help others. Now she serves beside him.
Meet Bobby Hines, and his daughter Sadie. Some families serve together every week. Others serve whenever life opens a window. Both kinds of service matter.
This week, we’re honored to introduce Bobby Hines, co-founder of the You Matter Movement, and his daughter, Sadie. Bobby and Sadie serve side by side whenever they can, while also helping people in many ways behind the scenes.
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Bobby
Tell us a little about your family.
“I have been married to Cassie Hines for nine years, and we have been together for 14. I have two kids and three bonus kids. Together, we have six grandkids, who are the greatest.”
What inspired you to begin serving others?
“My brother died by suicide on December 31, 2020. He struggled with addiction and mental health issues. At the same time, I was six years clean and putting my own life back together. After he died, I called my good friend Jason Stillwell, and we began building the You Matter Movement by changing people’s day—one person at a time.”
What does serving alongside Sadie mean to you?
“Sadie has wanted to become more involved with the You Matter Movement. Being a mother of two small children and working full-time, she has very few windows to put her feet on the pavement and be hands-on. She helps many people behind the scenes and helps change people’s day, one person at a time. Serving side by side means we are trying to make a difference for people who are struggling. It also allows her to see firsthand how much people are really going through.”
What is one memory from volunteering with Open Table KC that stands out?
“I don’t know about favorite memories, but getting bitten by the dog has to rank pretty high! All jokes aside, I enjoy seeing how other small nonprofits operate and how they make a difference. It is also nice to show up, simply be a volunteer, and really get involved. Working with and assisting other nonprofits is a big part of the You Matter Movement.”
Why is it important for children and families to volunteer?
“All of our kids are involved with the You Matter Movement. They can’t wait to get to the events. If we are not instilling community, purpose, and selflessness in the generations below us, then we are doing our children a disservice. The more involved our children can be, no matter their age, the more it will help give them purpose and teach them to show up for others with no strings attached.”
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Sadie
Who inspired you to volunteer?
“My dad has consistently volunteered, and he definitely inspired me to volunteer.”
What does serving alongside your dad mean to you?
“Doing anything with my dad is special, but especially volunteering. It makes a difference in our community and brings us closer as human beings. I can see how happy it makes my dad to do it together, and in turn, it makes me happy to serve the community and be there alongside him.”
Has volunteering changed the way you see other people?
“I always knew that all walks of life existed, but you can get wrapped up in your own life. Being there in the moment really puts things into perspective. Helping others face to face, without judgment or expectation, will change your life. Meeting everyone at Open Table KC, along with everyone who works with You Matter, makes you realize how many people are dedicated to helping those who need it. It inspires me to get out more and help.”
What surprised you most about volunteering?
“What surprised me most is how many people put their own time and money into helping others. It is a beautiful thing to see.”
What have you learned about yourself?
“I have learned a lot about myself through volunteering, but most of all, I have learned to help without judgment and that I can be a light for others.”
What would you tell another woman your age who is thinking about volunteering?
“Get out and do it." Talking about it and being about it are two different things. Being about it is what will build your confidence in your ability to help others and your community. The only thing stopping you from volunteering and helping make your community better is yourself.”
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Thank you, Bobby and Sadie, for showing us that family service does not always have to fit neatly into a schedule.
Sometimes it happens at an event. Sometimes it happens behind the scenes. Sometimes it is a father inspiring his daughter, and a daughter choosing to stand beside him.
Together, you are changing people’s days one person at a time.
Meet the Calabrese Family
Week 1
Kirsten
What first drew you to Open Table KC?
“I have always enjoyed helping out people in need. I was able to work with Three Square in Las Vegas, so when we moved to KC, I saw your mission on Facebook and knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
What does serving together as a family mean to you?
“Commitment, support, and sharing with others what we are so grateful to have.”
What’s one moment you’ll never forget?
“Smiles and ‘thank you’ from those we serve.”
What would you tell another parent who’s thinking about bringing their family to serve?
“It’s humbling and a reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate what you have together.”
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Kurt
What keeps you coming back on Tuesday nights?
“When I am able to attend, I like to interact with our friends to show them the respect and safety that we all deserve.”
What have you learned from serving with your family?
“Work can wait because family time is limited and can change at any moment.”
What has surprised you the most?
“The amount of compassion people have towards others.”
What would you say to another dad who’s considering volunteering?
“Take the time to show your children the good in all people and how a little act of kindness can make another person’s day.”
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Ava
What’s your favorite part of Tuesday nights?
“I like to see other kids being helped by their parents even if they are having a hard time.”
What have you learned from serving others?
“I am blessed for what my parents have given me.”
Has volunteering changed the way you see people?
“I have worked with disabled kids with my mom, so working with people who are different does not make me think any differently of them.”
What would you tell another teenager who’s thinking about coming to Open Table KC?
“Come and try it out. You may not always want to, but when you do, it feels really good to help out.”
