Travis Kelce helped bring 25,000 meals to Kansas City kids as nonprofit mourned its co-founder’s death
The nonprofit was grieving the death of Berta Sailer, but it continued caring for local children and families
Travis Kelce’s donation reached Kansas City children through something every family knows well: breakfast . In January 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Kodiak teamed up to provide 25,000 meals to children served by Operation Breakthrough , a local nonprofit that supports children and their families.
The contribution offered practical help at a difficult time for the organization , which was mourning the loss of its co-founder, Sister Berta Sailer.
Kelce’s donation brought the community together around a meal
The partnership between Kelce and Kodiak was more than a number in a donation announcement. At a special breakfast, children and their families enjoyed pancakes decorated with Chiefs and Operation Breakthrough designs.
It was a chance to share a meal and a moment of celebration . During a painful time for the organization, the donation also helped sustain its daily work caring for Kansas City families.
Operation Breakthrough serves more than 750 children every day, from infants to young adults up to age 18 , and offers services that include child care, education and health care. Its work began in 1971, when Sisters Berta Sailer and Corita Bussanmas responded to working parents’ need for quality child care.
What began with 50 infants, toddlers and preschoolers grew into an organization that now supports children and families throughout the community.
The dream behind Operation Breakthrough
Sister Berta’s death left a deep mark on everyone connected to the organization. Her daughter, Vanshay Purnell, said her mother’s values continue to guide its work. “They wanted to make it bigger for more kids and more families,” Purnell said of the founders. “I feel like they’re doing that.”
The 25,000-meal donation became part of that ongoing effort . It helped meet an immediate need while drawing attention to an organization built around a larger hope: giving children and families the support and opportunities they need to build a brighter future.
