Associates Pack Meals for 9/11 Day in KC and St. Louis

On Sept. 11, 2026, 27 Great Southern Bank associates in Kansas City and St. Louis marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by volunteering at 9/11 Day meal-packing events.

 

The events were part of a nationwide effort in 50 cities. Volunteers packed 17,737,970 meals for people facing food insecurity.

 

Great Southern associates in St. Louis have volunteered at 9/11 Day since 2019. This year, 10 St. Louis associates helped pack 437,616 meals at the city’s event.

 

“Our associates return year after year because 9/11 Day is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tragedy, we can make a difference through kindness and service,” said Avi Suri, Banking Center Manager at Great Southern Bank. “Being part of the 25th anniversary made it especially meaningful, as we came together to honor the lives lost by giving back to our community, one meal at a time.”

 

Kansas City joined the effort for the first time. Seventeen associates there helped pack 189,000 meals.

 

“The Kansas City team really enjoyed volunteering together for such a great event,” said Lynn Hinkle, Retail Banking Regional Manager at Great Southern Bank. “The opening ceremony made many of us a little emotional. We hope to be back next year.”

 

9/11 Day began in 2002 when two friends, David Paine and Jay Winuk, set out to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11. One of those victims was Winuk’s younger brother, Glenn, a volunteer firefighter and EMT who died helping with rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. Their nonprofit led the effort to establish Sept. 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009. Today, 9/11 Day and AmeriCorps lead the annual observance, which has become the nation’s largest day of charitable service.

 

Giving back to the communities we serve has been part of who we are since 1923. We’re proud to see more of our associates choose to spend this day serving their neighbors.