Cultivating Kindness in Our Classrooms and Communities
Cultivate Kindness
At HomeGrown we believe that a little extra kindness can change everything. Whether we are spreading sprinkles on pop tarts, sizzling up bacon, or serving fresh, locally sourced dishes, our overarching philosophy is to Cultivate Kindness in everything we do. We know that helping our guests start their day right does more than satisfy an appetite—it awakens a chain reaction of positive acts that extend far beyond our restaurant doors and into the surrounding neighborhood.
Kindness 101 at Drake University
The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University—the global home of CHARACTER COUNTS!—partnered with CBS News to offer Kindness 101 to classrooms and communities all across America. Built around heartwarming stories featured in Steve Hartman’s On the Road television series, Kindness 101 delivers complimentary video lessons, reflection journal prompts, and classroom activities designed for K-12 students. Guided by the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship), the curriculum equips young learners with essential social-emotional skills, empathy, and ethical leadership.
The Kindness 101 Grant Program
Together, HomeGrown and Kindness 101 have combined forces to turn inspiration into tangible action through the co-sponsored Acts of Kindness Grant Program. By providing $500 micro-grants directly to elementary grade classrooms, student councils, and youth leadership groups, this initiative empowers students to identify real community needs and design their own service-learning projects. From installing "Buddy Benches" on elementary school playgrounds to assembling birthday party kits for local food pantries, HomeGrown, Kindness 101, and Character Counts! help fund young leaders' dreams to put character into practice.
Apply todayNote: Homegrown sponsored Acts of Kindness Grants are available for schools located in or around Kansas City, Northwest Arkansas, Wichita, Des Moines, and Omaha.
