11th Annual Week of Giving
In 2014, Straub established our Week of Giving—a dedicated time each year when our team steps away from job sites and schedules to serve the communities that have given so much to us. What began as a simple idea has grown into one of the most meaningful traditions in our company culture: a week to reflect on gratitude, work side by side with coworkers, and make a tangible difference for neighbors in need.
This year marked our 11th Annual Week of Giving, and it was one of our most impactful yet. During the week before Thanksgiving, Straub employees volunteered with five incredible local organizations—Project C.U.R.E., Morning Glory Ministries, Thelma’s Kitchen, PawsAbilities at Inclusion Connections, and Shawnee Community Services. Together, our team helped serve more than 1,565 individuals, offering time, energy, and care to causes that strengthen our region.
Project C.U.R.E. – Delivering Health & Hope Worldwide
The Mission
Project C.U.R.E. identifies, collects, and distributes donated medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in developing countries, bridging critical health-resource gaps and empowering healthcare professionals around the world.
The Need
Countless medical facilities globally lack even the most basic supplies—gloves, gauze, stethoscopes—while usable equipment in the U.S. often goes unused. Project C.U.R.E. ensures these life-saving resources reach the places they are needed most, currently serving more than 135 countries.
How We Helped
Straub volunteers rolled up their sleeves to sort medical supplies, test biomedical equipment, and prepare shipments that will soon be in the hands of doctors and nurses caring for vulnerable patients across the globe.
Morning Glory Ministries – A Warm Meal and a Welcome Place
The Mission
Morning Glory Ministries is a faith-based organization serving Kansas City’s homeless community with dignity and compassion. They provide hot meals, clothing, hygiene items, identification assistance, and much more—completely free of charge.
The Need
In Jackson County alone, 17% of residents are food insecure, including 1 in 6 children nationwide. For many neighbors, Morning Glory is a lifeline.
How We Helped
Our team joined the breakfast crew, preparing and serving a hot meal to 100–150 guests, offering not only nourishment but also conversation, respect, and a welcoming start to the day.
Thelma’s Kitchen – Food as a Bridge to Community
The Mission
Located within Reconciliation Services, Thelma’s Kitchen is a pay-it-forward café transforming Troost from a dividing line into a gathering place. Every meal supports social and mental health services while creating space for neighbors to connect.
The Need
Through the Box Lunch program and café, affordable food access becomes a pathway to stability and belonging. A suggested $11 donation helps ensure no one is turned away.
How We Helped
Straub volunteers assisted with food prep, serving guests, bussing tables, washing dishes, and—most importantly—greeting every neighbor with a smile that said, you belong here.
PawsAbilities at Inclusion Connections – Creating Opportunity Through Purpose
The Mission
PawsAbilities provides job training and skills development for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the creation of dog treats and pet products.
The Need
After high school, many individuals with developmental disabilities lose access to meaningful opportunities and employment. PawsAbilities fills that gap, offering paid work, social engagement, and a path toward independence.
How We Helped
Our team worked alongside program participants making treats and toys, sewing bandanas, packaging orders, and building relationships that matter. We also hosted a T-shirt drive to support product creation—another small way to extend the impact beyond a single day.
Shawnee Community Services – A Hand Up for Local Families
The Mission
Since 1982, Shawnee Community Services has offered food and clothing resources with integrity and respect, helping neighbors become self-reliant and supported.
The Need
Each month an average of 377 households receive pantry boxes, and 165 households daily rely on free bakery and produce items.
How We Helped
Straub volunteers assembled and boxed special holiday pantry packages designed to provide a full week’s worth of meals for families during Thanksgiving. Our team also assisted with distribution in the car line, helping ensure parents and caregivers could head home with full trunks—and the comfort of knowing their holiday table would be covered.
More Than a Week
While the numbers tell part of the story, the real impact of Week of Giving is harder to measure—the conversations shared over a meal, the pride of packing a medical shipment, the laughter in a dog-treat workshop, the simple act of standing beside a neighbor and saying, we care.
These organizations remind us why community matters, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support their missions. To every Straub employee who volunteered time and heart this year—thank you for showing what it means to build more than buildings.
We’re already looking forward to next year.