{"id":13093,"date":"2026-03-25T13:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:01:13","slug":"delasalle-learning-farm-project-hits-close-to-home-for-blue-kc-volunteer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/delasalle-learning-farm-project-hits-close-to-home-for-blue-kc-volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"DeLaSalle Learning Farm project hits close to home for Blue KC volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Jasmine Hunter saw that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) had a volunteer event at the Build Trybe Shop near 31st and Troost in Kansas City, Missouri, it didn\u2019t take her long to decide to be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI saw the address,\u201d Jasmine said. \u201cI grew up around that area. I want to make sure I serve my community, particularly the urban core. That is important to me. When I got there, it was way more than I thought it was going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moments after she arrived at Build Trybe, the Blue KC Membership Account Manager grabbed a pair of gloves and began cutting wood with a saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never did that before,\u201d Jasmine said. \u201cOne person asked if I was scared. I was like, \u2018heck yeah!\u2019 It was out of my comfort zone, but cool. Other volunteers were using the awesome flamethrower that we learned how to use. The volunteers had a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building the Farm<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On that night, Blue KC volunteers helped build five raised garden beds made from cedar. It was all part of a partnership<\/a> between Blue KC, behavioral and mental health nonprofit Cornerstones of Care and its vocational program Build Trybe. The organizations are teaming up to build a learning farm at DeLaSalle Education Center near 37th and Troost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing up, I knew people who went to DeLaSalle,\u201d Jasmine said. \u201cSo, walking into Build Trybe and talking to those kids to try to help them build skills was special. It was great seeing those kids coming out with skills to make changes in their lives and put them on the right trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event was an opportunity for the Blue KC volunteers to mentor the DeLaSalle students who volunteered alongside them. Jasmine attended Kansas City Public Schools and knows what\u2019s it like to grow up in the urban core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter where you\u2019re from,\u201d she said. \u201cYour environment produces character. You can let that grow you, or you can let it hinder you. These types of programs out there that help young adults and families see something, do something and build something \u2013 it\u2019s a steppingstone for greater things. I want to be a part of that. I love that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Blue KC Membership Account Manager Jasmine Hunter (far left) volunteers at the Build Trybe shop near 31st and Troost in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in the same neighborhood and finds giving back to the community there meaningful.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Helping to Reduce Food Insecurity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The learning farm project is just getting started with plans to build an orchard on the horizon. It\u2019s all to help DeLaSalle Education Center become a new center for urban agriculture and reduce food insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe grocery store that just closed at 31st and Prospect affects the whole community,\u201d Jasmine said. \u201cThis project is literally feeding a whole community. Statistics have shown there are communities where children do not have access to adequate food<\/a> if they don\u2019t go to school. It\u2019s a huge thing when you can teach a whole community how to feed themselves, and they can take home food that might help their own families!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since she joined Blue KC in 2012, Jasmine has been impressed with Blue KC\u2019s commitment to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlue KC has such a great representation within the community,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s pride for me being an employee with Blue KC. You can work in the community, get to know people and help people. It\u2019s a great thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\t

\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Was this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t