When local organizations join forces around a shared purpose, the impact reaches far beyond a single event. That’s exactly what we experienced during our recent Partnership Month with the KC Mavericks, a month filled with generosity, awareness, and community connection.

Throughout the month of January, Mavericks fans, players, and staff showed up in powerful ways. From physical hygiene product donations at games to a special Giving the Basics Community Night, supporters took action to help ensure students, families, and seniors across our region have access to the basics they need to live with dignity.

By the Numbers: Real Impact, Real People

Thanks to the incredible support of the Mavericks community, this partnership resulted in:

• $3,400 in financial donations
• 500 physical hygiene items donated at games and community events

Because Giving the Basics is able to purchase hygiene products in bulk at significantly reduced costs, this combined generosity will provide a full month of basic hygiene essentials for 225 individuals in our community.

That’s 225 people who can attend school, go to work, or care for their families with confidence, because the basics are covered.

Meeting the Community Where They Are

A highlight of the month was a KC Mavericks player meet-and-greet at Price Chopper, where fans had the chance to connect with players while supporting a meaningful cause. Community members stopped by to say hello, learn more about Giving the Basics, and donate hygiene products on the spot.

Events like this bring our mission out into everyday spaces, making it easy and accessible for people to give back while doing what they already love… shopping, cheering on their team, and supporting their community.

Showing Up Beyond the Game

What made this partnership especially meaningful was the Mavericks’ commitment to getting involved beyond the rink. Mavericks players and executive staff volunteered alongside our team, helping pack and prepare hygiene items for distribution across the community.

Seeing an entire organization, from athletes to leadership, roll up their sleeves sent a powerful message: addressing basic needs is a shared responsibility. Their presence helped bring our mission to life and demonstrated what it looks like when a partner fully embraces impact.

More Than Donations: Expanding Awareness and Belonging

Beyond the numbers, this partnership created something equally important: connection.

Community Night gave us the opportunity to meet new supporters, share our mission, and introduce thousands of fans to the reality of hygiene insecurity, something many people don’t realize affects students and families right here in our region. By bringing our work into a space filled with energy, pride, and hometown spirit, the Mavericks helped amplify our message in a meaningful way.

Why Partnerships Like This Matter

Corporate and community partnerships are essential to our work at Giving the Basics. When organizations like the KC Mavericks stand alongside us, they help:

• Extend our reach to new audiences
• Normalize conversations about hygiene access
• Inspire action through hands-on engagement
• Turn community pride into community impact

Together, we’re able to do more than we ever could alone.

Our Thanks to the KC Mavericks Community

We are deeply grateful to the KC Mavericks organization—its fans, players, and leadership, for the generosity, time, and heartpoured into Partnership Month. From the arena to the grocery store, your support is helping ensure that dignity is not a privilege—but a given.

We look forward to continuing to build partnerships that bring people together, strengthen our community, and help us meet basic needs with compassion and care.

Interested in partnering with Giving the Basics? We’d love to explore how your organization can make an impact alongside us.

Contact Nick Hardesty, Nick@GivingtheBasics.org.