Latest / Our Community, Our Mission / Ep #306 – Running to Help: Inside Fleet Feet's Partnership with TRM

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Ep #306 – Running to Help: Inside Fleet Feet's Partnership with TRM · Our Community, Our Mission

0:00
SPEAKER_00: Father, we just thank you.
0:02
SPEAKER_00: We thank you for another day to do your work.
0:05
SPEAKER_00: We thank you for another day to just use our bodies and our minds, but most importantly our hearts to just see people, for how valued they are, and uh to have strong work ethics and to do the good that you're calling us to do in the community.
0:23
SPEAKER_00: Uh, thank you for our special guest today.
0:26
SPEAKER_00: Lord, thank you for just their wisdom.
0:29
SPEAKER_00: Uh, thank you for their enthusiasm, uh, and thank you for the yes that they have said uh to not only have a great business for our community, um, but also to um use their business to do good for uh people that are in need.
0:44
SPEAKER_00: Uh thank you for uh the rescue mission.
0:47
SPEAKER_00: Lord, thank you that we get to do this work and we just ask for uh the safety for our staff and our guests and our unsheltered neighbors, Lord, as um we just take each day to try to uh be better than the day before on our journeys.
1:02
SPEAKER_00: In your name we pray.
1:03
SPEAKER_00: Amen.
1:04
SPEAKER_05: Amen.
1:10
SPEAKER_03: Hello, everybody.
1:11
SPEAKER_03: Thank you for joining us for an edition of our community, our mission, uh, here on March the 10th, 2026.
1:17
SPEAKER_03: This is podcast number 306.
1:20
SPEAKER_03: 306.
1:20
SPEAKER_03: That's a lot.
1:21
SPEAKER_03: That's a lot.
1:22
SPEAKER_03: That's a lot.
1:22
SPEAKER_03: It's been a long time.
1:23
SPEAKER_03: It really has.
1:24
SPEAKER_03: So uh we're uh taking polls for people who have listened to all of them, and there'll be a special prize.
1:29
SPEAKER_03: Um we haven't listened to all of them either because we do them.
1:33
SPEAKER_03: So anyway, Lamanda Cunningham, uh Marion Craible, good morning.
1:36
SPEAKER_03: Good morning.
1:37
SPEAKER_03: Beautiful out there, isn't it?
1:38
SPEAKER_04: It is gorgeous, but you know my uh my feelings about that.
1:41
SPEAKER_03: Okay, so here here's here's the downside of a beautiful day that's gonna be 81 degrees at Topeka, Kansas.
1:46
SPEAKER_03: And so, Miriam, it is what?
1:48
SPEAKER_03: Too soon.
1:49
SPEAKER_03: Uh-huh.
1:50
SPEAKER_03: Too soon.
1:50
SPEAKER_04: It's too soon for it to be that warm because it's gonna get cold again.
1:54
SPEAKER_04: In fact, Nancy sent me pictures because you know her her husband is a farmer and has things, his apricot trees are blooming.
2:02
SPEAKER_04: Yes, it's gonna hit 20 degrees, 19 degrees, and those buds are gonna be gone.
2:09
SPEAKER_04: And then no apricots.
2:10
SPEAKER_03: So Merriam Downer.
2:11
SPEAKER_03: Over the time we get a nice weather, it's just like this all the time.
2:14
SPEAKER_03: So, but uh yeah, you're right, um, farm girl.
2:17
SPEAKER_04: And you know what?
2:18
SPEAKER_04: My dad, who's not with us anymore, is so proud because of all of your knowledge.
2:25
SPEAKER_04: Because I'm acting like a farm girl.
2:27
SPEAKER_03: Uh-huh.
2:27
SPEAKER_03: Yes.
2:28
SPEAKER_00: And I'm acting as a CEO of TRM, and I'm going, man, I think if it gets too warm too soon, that means we're gonna have a brutal summer, and how are we gonna keep everybody cool and hydrated?
2:39
SPEAKER_04: And that is a valid point, too.
2:41
SPEAKER_00: And we can't so really what should happen is we should just enjoy today, March 10th.
2:45
SPEAKER_00: Uh-huh.
2:46
SPEAKER_00: And the baby out of there.
2:47
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
2:47
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
2:48
SPEAKER_03: Let's try to do that.
2:49
SPEAKER_03: So uh for all those of you who see the motto of Topeka Rescue Mission, it's faith with its sleeves rolled up.
2:54
SPEAKER_03: Well, they don't really mean it all the time, but uh most of the time they do.
2:57
SPEAKER_03: So anyway.
2:58
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes we do panic.
3:00
SPEAKER_03: We have special guests today, but of course we have to get to the very diligent work of the research and development department of Topeka Rescue Mission, who has discovered at least three important things about March 10th every year.
3:11
SPEAKER_03: And so the first one is um I'm sure that everybody's done this today, right?
3:15
SPEAKER_03: National Pack Your Lunch Day.
3:18
SPEAKER_03: National Pack.
3:18
SPEAKER_03: Why would we have a special day annually for that?
3:21
SPEAKER_03: I mean, there's people that do that every day.
3:23
SPEAKER_04: Every single day.
3:23
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
3:24
SPEAKER_04: Because they were desperate for something to say.
3:27
SPEAKER_03: So there has to be something special about Pack Your Lunch Day.
3:31
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, there has to be something special.
3:32
SPEAKER_03: So so uh they had to dig hard for this one, but um what was the first licensed character to appear on a lunch pail?
3:42
SPEAKER_04: Licensed Merriam, you remember this.
3:45
SPEAKER_04: It was the black and white Mickey on top of it, wasn't it?
3:47
SPEAKER_03: I don't know.
3:48
SPEAKER_03: I didn't know.
3:49
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
3:49
SPEAKER_03: So 1935, Mickey Mouse was the first one to do it.
3:53
SPEAKER_03: And then uh 1950, uh Merriam remembers that one too.
3:57
SPEAKER_03: The Hop Along Cassidy Lunchbox was the first lunchbox to be based on a television show.
4:02
SPEAKER_03: Uh for our guests, it's okay.
4:04
SPEAKER_03: We like each other.
4:05
SPEAKER_03: So it's gonna get better.
4:09
SPEAKER_00: Continue.
4:10
SPEAKER_03: Now I don't know, Merriam, if you probably know anything about this next thing that's special because I'm too old.
4:16
SPEAKER_03: Well, maybe so.
4:17
SPEAKER_03: Listen, I know all about this next one.
4:20
SPEAKER_03: Okay, this is a test for you.
4:21
SPEAKER_03: It's National Mario Day.
4:23
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
4:23
SPEAKER_03: Mario Day.
4:24
SPEAKER_00: Just so you know, I'm stellar at Mario Kart, and I grew up um playing Nintendo.
4:32
SPEAKER_00: And guess who taught me how to play and beat Bowser?
4:36
SPEAKER_00: My grandmother.
4:37
SPEAKER_00: See, she was full-blood Italian and could cook so good and was like everybody's grandma, yet was mean when it came to playing Nintendo.
4:50
SPEAKER_03: Okay, so for you, since you're an expert.
4:54
SPEAKER_03: When grandma taught you everything, uh-huh.
4:55
SPEAKER_03: What was when did Mario first appear?
4:58
SPEAKER_03: What year?
4:59
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I I don't know because I wasn't around as long as you've been around.
5:02
SPEAKER_03: That's true.
5:02
SPEAKER_03: That's true.
5:03
SPEAKER_03: That's true.
5:04
SPEAKER_03: You weren't born yet.
5:04
SPEAKER_03: That's right.
5:05
SPEAKER_03: It was 1981.
5:06
SPEAKER_03: Oh, yeah.
5:07
SPEAKER_03: And it was in a game, it wasn't Mario, it was Donkey Kong.
5:10
SPEAKER_03: Donkey Kong, yeah.
5:11
SPEAKER_03: I've watched that a few times.
5:12
SPEAKER_03: I go, why are people doing that?
5:14
SPEAKER_03: Barry, I just had to put a quarter in a machine to do it too.
5:16
SPEAKER_03: I was crazy.
5:17
SPEAKER_00: We need to you and I, we need to play Mario Kart.
5:21
SPEAKER_00: Oh, we do?
5:22
SPEAKER_00: Yes.
5:22
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
5:23
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna do a podcast first.
5:24
SPEAKER_00: Barry just say no.
5:25
SPEAKER_00: So I would think no.
5:27
SPEAKER_00: I would beat him.
5:28
SPEAKER_00: I would throw the bananas at you and you'd slip.
5:31
SPEAKER_00: Sorry?
5:33
SPEAKER_03: I wouldn't doubt it.
5:35
SPEAKER_03: I wouldn't doubt it.
5:36
SPEAKER_03: Okay, okay.
5:36
SPEAKER_03: But Miriam and I can tell you about the Great Flood.
5:39
SPEAKER_00: Uh-huh.
5:40
SPEAKER_00: The original Mickey Mouse.
5:42
SPEAKER_00: The original Mouse.
5:42
SPEAKER_00: In the beginning.
5:43
SPEAKER_00: That's right.
5:43
SPEAKER_03: The earth was formless and void, and darkness was up on the face of the beach.
5:46
SPEAKER_04: Do you see how he's bringing you into that?
5:48
SPEAKER_04: I have not.
5:48
SPEAKER_04: I know, and I appreciate that because I would never do that, Miriam, to you.
5:52
SPEAKER_03: That's because I do think that's a good thing.
5:54
SPEAKER_03: What is Mario's profession?
5:57
SPEAKER_03: Other than he A plumber.
5:59
SPEAKER_03: Jumps around.
6:00
SPEAKER_03: Oh.
6:00
SPEAKER_03: A plumber.
6:01
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
6:01
SPEAKER_03: Him and Luigi.
6:03
SPEAKER_03: What was his previous profession, though, before he became a plumber?
6:06
SPEAKER_03: Construction worker.
6:07
SPEAKER_03: Close.
6:08
SPEAKER_03: Yes, yes.
6:09
SPEAKER_03: More specific.
6:09
SPEAKER_03: Electrician?
6:10
SPEAKER_03: No.
6:11
SPEAKER_03: I don't know.
6:11
SPEAKER_03: No.
6:12
SPEAKER_03: Carpenter.
6:13
SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's right.
6:14
SPEAKER_00: Because he had all the hammers and stuff in his belt.
6:17
SPEAKER_03: See the qualifications for the executive director, CEO of Speaker Rescue Mission.
6:20
SPEAKER_03: You guys know this stuff.
6:22
SPEAKER_03: All right.
6:23
SPEAKER_03: Okay.
6:23
SPEAKER_03: One last thing about Mario.
6:24
SPEAKER_03: I mean, there's lots of stuff here that our research and development department.
6:27
SPEAKER_03: We have QA going down the page here, but what color is Mario's shirt with that looking?
6:32
SPEAKER_03: Okay, very good.
6:33
SPEAKER_00: Luigi's is green.
6:35
SPEAKER_03: Uh-huh.
6:35
SPEAKER_00: And they both wear.
6:36
SPEAKER_00: That's the next question.
6:37
SPEAKER_00: Yes.
6:38
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
6:38
SPEAKER_03: So uh they um.
6:40
SPEAKER_03: I think the research guy's younger than you are.
6:42
SPEAKER_03: So uh yeah.
6:43
SPEAKER_03: So anyway.
6:44
SPEAKER_03: They still do this stuff?
6:45
SPEAKER_03: I mean, Mario is still a thing.
6:47
SPEAKER_00: I just played last weekend.
6:48
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I'm sure you do.
6:49
SPEAKER_00: I play all my kids.
6:51
SPEAKER_00: They rotate.
6:51
SPEAKER_00: They come through.
6:52
SPEAKER_00: We've got two controllers.
6:53
SPEAKER_00: I beat them, so then the next one goes through.
6:56
SPEAKER_03: I wouldn't blame our guests if they were looking through watch saying, how long is this gonna go?
6:59
SPEAKER_03: So it's almost over.
7:00
SPEAKER_03: National blueberry popover day.
7:03
SPEAKER_00: What?
7:04
SPEAKER_00: Blueberry popover?
7:06
SPEAKER_03: Popover day.
7:06
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
7:07
SPEAKER_00: I have never heard of that.
7:08
SPEAKER_00: You don't know what a popover is?
7:09
SPEAKER_00: No.
7:09
SPEAKER_00: I know what a pop tart is.
7:10
SPEAKER_03: Okay, Miriam.
7:11
SPEAKER_03: Enlighten Lamanda.
7:13
SPEAKER_04: Well, it's sort of okay, think of it a bit like a cream puff.
7:18
SPEAKER_04: You know, it gets big and it's a little bit berry.
7:21
SPEAKER_04: I've never had a cream puff.
7:24
SPEAKER_04: Do you think we just have to move on because I am so stunned right now?
7:29
SPEAKER_04: I'm just busy playing Mario.
7:30
SPEAKER_04: Have you ever been to it?
7:33
SPEAKER_04: You can just easily pop them out.
7:35
SPEAKER_04: It's and then if it's blueberry, I mean it can be savory or sweet, or it's a pastry.
7:40
SPEAKER_04: Just go with that.
7:41
SPEAKER_04: Okay.
7:41
SPEAKER_00: Could Judy make us some?
7:43
SPEAKER_00: I don't know if Judy's ever made popovers.
7:45
SPEAKER_04: I have.
7:46
SPEAKER_00: Miriam's sister-in-law is such a good baker and makes like the best cinnamon rolls.
7:50
SPEAKER_00: So I think we need a even if they do have frosting.
7:54
SPEAKER_03: So we have recently discovered American kalashi.
7:57
SPEAKER_04: Yes.
7:57
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
7:58
SPEAKER_03: You know what's the most amazing thing about that?
8:00
SPEAKER_03: What?
8:00
SPEAKER_03: How they get that stuff in there.
8:02
SPEAKER_03: Uh-huh.
8:02
SPEAKER_03: I mean, you know, really.
8:03
SPEAKER_03: It's just this roll thing and there's no hole.
8:06
SPEAKER_03: I know.
8:07
SPEAKER_04: Oh my God.
8:08
SPEAKER_03: Some somehow they do that inside.
8:10
SPEAKER_03: I mean, they scrambled eggs in there and everything else.
8:12
SPEAKER_04: You know, I am so concerned for both of you two right now.
8:17
SPEAKER_03: So I'm not I'm not sure I would recognize National Blueberry Popover Day either, Lamanda.
8:22
SPEAKER_03: I don't know what a popover is.
8:24
SPEAKER_03: Okay, so now we know.
8:25
SPEAKER_03: Okay.
8:25
SPEAKER_03: So let's get to the show.
8:27
SPEAKER_04: You don't know either.
8:28
SPEAKER_04: Oh my god.
8:29
SPEAKER_00: And you told me you don't know what a popover is.
8:31
SPEAKER_00: Culinary skills, baking skills.
8:33
SPEAKER_03: So, Alec, do you just look this stuff up just to for your purposes?
8:36
SPEAKER_00: Nancy.
8:38
SPEAKER_03: Anyway, well, thank you all for joining us for what's important about March the 10th.
8:42
SPEAKER_03: In addition to our guest today.
8:44
SPEAKER_03: So Lamanda, Merriam, uh Speaker Rescue Mission is so blessed to have people who volunteer, people who have served for years volunteering, organizations who have come alongside to do everything from volunteering to doing fundraisers to doing special events.
9:08
SPEAKER_03: And so we're talking about one of those today.
9:10
SPEAKER_03: And so talk about how you first came into contact with an organization or a company called Fleet Feet.
9:17
SPEAKER_00: Yes.
9:18
SPEAKER_00: I still remember Miriam May too the first time Josh came to us to tell us about this.
9:25
SPEAKER_00: So uh Josh Churley, who used to work for us, he's left.
9:28
SPEAKER_00: We're still in mourning.
9:29
SPEAKER_00: Um, but he really took the lead on um working um with them last year.
9:35
SPEAKER_00: And I think they reached out with some ideas, which we're gonna hear about in just a minute.
9:40
SPEAKER_00: And Josh came to me and said, Hey, uh, because we have a communications meeting every week, and he had put it on our agenda.
9:47
SPEAKER_00: And he was so excited about the ideas that they had to take their business model of like healthy living and running and shoes and all of this, and promote that yet also benefit those that may not have some of the same opportunities that other people have.
10:10
SPEAKER_00: And I remember sitting in my office when Josh was talking about it, and I remember telling Josh, why are why are you so excited about this?
10:20
SPEAKER_00: And he said, because they're so enthusiastic about it.
10:24
SPEAKER_00: And so um what they don't know is that was kind of a rough time for us.
10:29
SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, we had um a lot of challenges um last year that we faced, and this work isn't always easy, and sometimes you don't always feel like people care for humanity the way we do.
10:46
SPEAKER_00: And sometimes we hear everything maybe that we're not doing or that we should be doing, or we hear people discuss someone experiencing homelessness in a negative way, like they're not even a human.
10:59
SPEAKER_00: And so that came at a time where we were juggling a lot internally.
11:04
SPEAKER_00: So then for him to have a couple of the email exchanges, phone calls, then he went and met with them, and they were making flyers.
11:12
SPEAKER_00: I mean, there was just this level of excitement of we're doing this and we're doing it quickly.
11:18
SPEAKER_00: Um, and he was like, Are we on board?
11:21
SPEAKER_00: And I said, Yes, give them whatever they need, and and we'll do it.
11:24
SPEAKER_00: So their yes was great, and I can't wait to see what happens this year, but it was also an encouragement to our team to partner with them.
11:32
SPEAKER_03: That's a good setup.
11:33
SPEAKER_03: Today we have Kirsten Williams and Michael Franco from Fleet Feet.
11:38
SPEAKER_03: Welcome to the podcast today.
11:39
SPEAKER_05: Thank you.
11:40
SPEAKER_05: Thank you.
11:41
SPEAKER_03: So why Topeka Rescue Mission and what what have you been doing?
11:46
SPEAKER_03: Um I know there was a Czech presentation here the other day, Topeka Rescue Mission.
11:50
SPEAKER_03: So talk about Fleet Feet.
11:52
SPEAKER_03: And um I know Michael, you and I kind of got a chance to visit a little bit before.
11:56
SPEAKER_03: It's like 300 stores around the United States, six in Kansas.
12:00
SPEAKER_03: You're over four of those in the northern part of Kansas.
12:03
SPEAKER_03: So talk about your company and then um um why you came to work to Topeka Rescue Mission to say we want to do something.
12:12
SPEAKER_06: Sure.
12:13
SPEAKER_06: Let me start.
12:14
SPEAKER_06: Yeah.
12:14
SPEAKER_06: Yeah.
12:15
SPEAKER_06: And then I'm gonna hand it off to you and you can just take the rest of it.
12:17
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
12:19
SPEAKER_06: Um I've been with Flea Peed now for 10 years.
12:23
SPEAKER_06: So this is chapter four for me.
12:26
SPEAKER_06: I'm older.
12:27
SPEAKER_06: I'm even older than you, I think.
12:28
SPEAKER_04: I doubt it.
12:30
SPEAKER_04: You might be surprised.
12:33
SPEAKER_03: Um I'm not done yet.
12:36
SPEAKER_06: But I was a runner uh early in life and then kind of took a pause and then came to it um in my 50s.
12:46
SPEAKER_06: Um I was in pharmaceutical sales for a long period of time, but got to know Fleafeet, run specialty during that time and and really loved what they were doing.
12:57
SPEAKER_06: So Fleafeet for those that don't know, or run specialty retail store that specializes primarily in shoes for walkers, runners, people that are on their feet, but also other things for people that that might need insoles or socks or apparel.
13:15
SPEAKER_06: Just everything kind of as a solution for the for those people that are trying to get active again.
13:21
SPEAKER_06: But the other part of this company that really, really got me involved was what we try to do in the community.
13:28
SPEAKER_06: Um and the community partners at uh at each one of the stores, 300 of them, as you talked about, um, and very, very different.
13:35
SPEAKER_06: So the four stores that I oversee, Kansas City, Overland Park, Lawrence and and Topeka, we all have our kind of organizations that we feel really passionately about.
13:46
SPEAKER_06: Um so I've been involved with Flea P, like I said, for about 10 years now.
13:49
SPEAKER_06: Came to Kansas about three years ago, and just kind of my job is really to put together a leadership team and those four stores to do a good job with our customers in the store, but then also find somebody that's really passionate about um being active in the community.
14:09
SPEAKER_06: And um I ran across this girl last summer.
14:14
SPEAKER_06: And so uh Kirsten came on with us, I believe, July of last year.
14:22
SPEAKER_06: And so putting together this community outreach is what we call her community outreach manager.
14:29
SPEAKER_06: And one of the first things she said to me was why don't why doesn't Topeka have like a formal turkey truck?
14:38
SPEAKER_02: A turkey truck?
14:39
SPEAKER_02: A turkey truck, right?
14:40
SPEAKER_02: Okay.
14:40
SPEAKER_02: A turkey truck, so a turkey truck.
14:42
SPEAKER_02: I'm talking about turkey truck.
14:44
SPEAKER_06: Turkey truck.
14:45
SPEAKER_06: So it is like this big thing every Thanksgiving morning for many, many communities, for uh people to come out, run it fast, run it with your families, whatever.
14:57
SPEAKER_06: And Topeka has had versions of it, um, but nothing really, really formalized.
15:03
SPEAKER_06: And she's like, we've got to do this.
15:05
SPEAKER_06: And I said, It's three months away.
15:08
SPEAKER_05: I don't care.
15:10
SPEAKER_06: And so I was like, all right.
15:13
SPEAKER_06: And so if you get to know me, I pretty much uh hands off, you think you got it a good idea, as long as it's in my little guardrails, then I'm gonna let you go with it and run with it.
15:26
SPEAKER_06: And so she did.
15:28
SPEAKER_06: Initially we thought, hey, if we can get 100, 150 people there, um, that would be great.
15:35
SPEAKER_06: You can talk to how many people we actually got there, yeah, and then what this evolved into in terms of this relationship.
15:42
SPEAKER_06: So curious.
15:43
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so we ended up having to cap it.
15:46
SPEAKER_01: Well, we stopped registration at 450, and then we allowed some people to sign up the week of, but they couldn't they wouldn't receive a medal or a shirt because I had no idea that many people would sign up.
15:58
SPEAKER_01: So on race day, we ended up having 550.
16:02
SPEAKER_01: Um, and then that doesn't count all of the spectators.
16:04
SPEAKER_01: I I would say there was probably close to a thousand people that are there that day either participating, watching, or the news crew that the whole news came out, which was pretty cool.
16:15
SPEAKER_01: But um I know that I'm not a Topekan.
16:19
SPEAKER_01: I'm kind of I'm fairly new to Topeka, almost have lived here for a year.
16:23
SPEAKER_01: And when I was wanting to do the Topeka Turkey Traw, um my boyfriend who is from Topeka said that Topeka Rescue Mission used to do a 5K.
16:33
SPEAKER_01: It wasn't on Thanksgiving, but it was a part of a Thanksgiving parade.
16:38
SPEAKER_01: Are you guys you guys know what I'm talking about?
16:40
SPEAKER_03: The rescue run.
16:41
SPEAKER_03: The rescue run for many, many years.
16:43
SPEAKER_01: Yes, and he said it was just such a great run because um the road was closed for the parade.
16:49
SPEAKER_01: So you guys got a run on the road and it was just a whole thing.
16:52
SPEAKER_01: And he just really said that that was a big part of his childhood and early years, and he loved that run.
16:59
SPEAKER_01: So I thought, well, if we're gonna do a turkey trot, then we have to benefit the community in some way.
17:06
SPEAKER_01: And why not reach out to Topeka Rescue Mission because they had something in the past, and I'm sure that they would love to be a part of something again.
17:14
SPEAKER_01: So that just led to me reaching out to Josh.
17:18
SPEAKER_01: And then yeah, we did come and meet him, and the relationship just formed, and it felt really good to, you know, work with you guys, knowing that you guys had something in the past.
17:28
SPEAKER_01: So obviously, you guys were passionate about that holiday, and that's a big time of need for you guys.
17:34
SPEAKER_01: And so I I just didn't think there was anyone else to work with, really, but to speak a rescue mission.
17:40
SPEAKER_03: So that's and that's really uh great to hear.
17:42
SPEAKER_03: Uh the rescue run went on, I don't know how many years.
17:45
SPEAKER_03: Uh a man by the name of Tony Estes had uh established that.
17:49
SPEAKER_03: And matter of fact, he's contacted us here recently, hasn't he, Amanda?
17:52
SPEAKER_03: They are going to do a collage um wall hanging with all the different rescue run events that's gonna be donated to the rescue mission.
17:59
SPEAKER_03: And uh so I didn't really know um myself that it was continuing on in a different fashion.
18:06
SPEAKER_03: That turkey trot, I'd heard the name and uh but uh hadn't followed it that much.
18:10
SPEAKER_03: So were you surprised with the number of turnouts that you got uh to sign up for this?
18:17
SPEAKER_01: Oh yeah, I was definitely shocked for sure.
18:20
SPEAKER_00: I mean because tell them how long did you have from the idea to the day of the event?
18:27
SPEAKER_01: So the idea came at the beginning of August.
18:30
SPEAKER_01: I think we launched the website and registration in the middle of August, and so then it was on November 27th.
18:38
SPEAKER_03: So it was three months.
18:41
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
18:42
SPEAKER_01: Now that I think about it.
18:43
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
18:44
SPEAKER_03: Obviously, you're in the running walking business to help people to do that.
18:48
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
18:48
SPEAKER_03: Were you aware of how popular 5Ks and runs are in Topeka?
18:54
SPEAKER_03: Would that surprise you as well?
18:56
SPEAKER_01: Or well, I think it's definitely growing.
18:59
SPEAKER_01: When I when I moved here, I I think there I think there's a boom in running right now, just in general.
19:07
SPEAKER_01: Um and then when I moved here, I really started to see and just since being in this role at Fleet Fee, I've really seen um the running community here grow.
19:17
SPEAKER_01: It's pretty popular on the trail side, but there is a big roadside because running is just a very accessible sport.
19:24
SPEAKER_01: You don't need to have special skills, you don't need to have a ball, like you don't need to have a teammate, you just need to have a pair of good shoes and you need to know where to run.
19:35
SPEAKER_01: And so it is very accessible, and I think right now is a time where people really need accessibility.
19:41
SPEAKER_01: And so everyone's just choosing to run or walk.
19:44
SPEAKER_03: And so is a turkey trail on a run-walk event.
19:47
SPEAKER_03: You can't do anything.
19:48
SPEAKER_03: You can I did the 5K once on the walk part.
19:51
SPEAKER_01: Oh, yeah, you walked it.
19:52
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I cheated though.
19:53
SPEAKER_03: I went through the alleyways and I got there a good record.
19:55
SPEAKER_05: Oh, geez.
19:56
SPEAKER_03: Of course, I was part of the event organized.
19:58
SPEAKER_03: I had to be back on time.
19:59
SPEAKER_03: So disappointing.
20:01
SPEAKER_03: Good excuse, Barry.
20:02
SPEAKER_03: That's right.
20:02
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, it was a great excuse.
20:04
SPEAKER_03: Man, you're really fast.
20:05
SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
20:06
SPEAKER_03: But um anyway, yeah, having the right uh footwear is huge.
20:10
SPEAKER_03: Yes, it's huge in this.
20:11
SPEAKER_03: And there has been a um a renaissance or uh focus on health and people getting out.
20:17
SPEAKER_03: But yeah, I've I was quite surprised over the years of people who this is very serious.
20:21
SPEAKER_03: I mean, there's some people that if there's a 5k run, they're going for it.
20:25
SPEAKER_03: So is the tricky trot a 5K?
20:27
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so we had a five, so it was at Lake Shawnee, so we had a 5k loop, we had a whole lake loop, which was 6.8, I believe.
20:36
SPEAKER_01: It's 6.8, and then we had um a kid's 1k race.
20:41
SPEAKER_03: So your boyfriend had been involved in the former rescue run.
20:43
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
20:44
SPEAKER_03: And so he told you about the rescue mission.
20:45
SPEAKER_03: What have you learned about the rescue mission since you first uh started talking to Josh here?
20:51
SPEAKER_03: And uh and why has this been important to you guys personally?
20:56
SPEAKER_01: Um I mean, I learned a lot.
20:59
SPEAKER_01: I it's it's more than just like a homeless shelter.
21:03
SPEAKER_01: I think I learned it was even that when I was talking to him.
21:06
SPEAKER_01: Um I thought maybe it was more just like a food pantry, you know, somewhere that people could come and get belongings.
21:13
SPEAKER_01: And then even after the um Topeka Turkey Trot, I've learned a lot more about what you guys do.
21:18
SPEAKER_01: I mean, being from St.
21:20
SPEAKER_01: George, Utah, where we really don't have a homeless population whatsoever, I'm just a little unfamiliar to um homelessness and and cold weather.
21:32
SPEAKER_01: And to learn about your guys' warming centers that you do.
21:35
SPEAKER_01: I I just had no idea that that was something that people do.
21:40
SPEAKER_01: I so that's that's something I've learned.
21:42
SPEAKER_01: I there's just so much that you guys do.
21:45
SPEAKER_01: I feel like there's a lot that I haven't learned that you guys do.
21:48
SPEAKER_01: I'm always finding out something.
21:49
SPEAKER_03: People have been around for a while still learning too.
21:51
SPEAKER_03: So uh Lamanda, you talked about uh the timing uh of um being contacted uh by Fleet Feet, and it was just uh encouragement.
22:00
SPEAKER_03: Time.
22:00
SPEAKER_03: Talk a little bit more about that.
22:03
SPEAKER_00: You always ask the hard questions.
22:04
SPEAKER_00: I know.
22:04
SPEAKER_03: Well, there's a lot of chicks right there for you.
22:06
SPEAKER_03: So go ahead.
22:07
SPEAKER_00: You know, what we what we get to do at the rescue mission is truly a blessing.
22:13
SPEAKER_00: Like there's not one day that I think any of us go home that we go, well, if I didn't show up today, it would have made no difference.
22:22
SPEAKER_00: Um, and it doesn't matter if it's our frontline staff, it doesn't matter if it's our back office support.
22:27
SPEAKER_00: There is purpose in all of us every day.
22:30
SPEAKER_00: And we see it.
22:32
SPEAKER_00: With that purpose also comes great responsibility, great challenges.
22:37
SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, we are tasked with the the trust and the challenge of not only seeing people where they're at currently in their journey, but trying to see where they can be.
22:52
SPEAKER_00: Um, but then also recognizing it's not about our timing, it's not all about our next steps.
22:58
SPEAKER_00: And so um, you know, sometimes we have beautiful stories of somebody that comes in and they are completely compliant and ready, and the commitment is there, the abilities are there, and the transformation occurs on this beautifully linear timeline.
23:14
SPEAKER_00: And we have that.
23:16
SPEAKER_00: Uh, and then we have some that don't.
23:19
SPEAKER_00: And um, last year was um the toughest year uh since I've been here in regards to um the staff assault and trying to walk that boundary of my staff member being left to die.
23:42
SPEAKER_00: Um it's not okay and wrecked our world, yet trying to also be wise with our communication to everybody because the person who did it, we also know, you know, is made in God's image.
24:02
SPEAKER_00: And so trying to always have the right communication of that situation um was a challenge.
24:10
SPEAKER_00: Um and we had other issues.
24:12
SPEAKER_00: Uh, we've seen just an increase in people's struggles on the street.
24:18
SPEAKER_00: Um, the ordinance did not help that.
24:20
SPEAKER_00: It it caused people to go into further desperation, and now they're scattering, trying to find a place where they can stay safe while they're waiting for housing and vouchers and next steps and beds to open so that they can get treatment.
24:34
SPEAKER_00: Um so there were just, it seemed like extreme challenge after challenge after challenge, and our leadership team um trying to navigate the normal um obstacles that we face on a daily basis with also trying to grieve what happened to our staff member.
24:57
SPEAKER_00: We had some other issues that um were challenging, not to that level.
25:02
SPEAKER_00: Um, we had a lot of people where they were so close to the next step and our team worked so hard, and then it was no beds for 48 hours, no option for 72 hours.
25:16
SPEAKER_00: And so there was just constant disappointment.
25:21
SPEAKER_00: And I saw it in staff, I saw it in the people we were serving.
25:25
SPEAKER_00: Um, and to try to navigate that as a leader where you're walking in in um grief with your staff on the big and little things, uh, but then also trying to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and what we don't understand in this world was hard.
25:44
SPEAKER_00: And that's what we were consumed with every day.
25:47
SPEAKER_00: So to have such a fresh spirit go, we want to do something exciting and for it to come from a business where sometimes um it seems like it's hard to find common ground between the work we do and business owners because we want businesses to thrive.
26:06
SPEAKER_00: We don't want them dealing with behaviors that can harm clients coming in and customers and stuff like that.
26:13
SPEAKER_00: But the other side of it is these are also people that have nowhere to go because of decisions that have been made.
26:21
SPEAKER_00: So they are walking in front of storefronts, they are sitting on benches because there is nowhere for them to go.
26:27
SPEAKER_00: So to have her come in with excitement from a business mindset, um, eager to learn about what we did, but then I think it was reciprocated.
26:38
SPEAKER_00: Um it was just an authentic partnership that I think is going to evolve into friendship.
26:45
SPEAKER_00: Um, and it just came at a time where there was something with joy, excitement, renewal, and they had no idea what that was doing for for myself and our staff.
27:01
SPEAKER_03: Michael uh Kirsten, this is part of Fleet Fit serving community.
27:07
SPEAKER_03: Um you'd mentioned that already, and and uh you look for a place to do it.
27:13
SPEAKER_03: What's it mean to you to hear about the impact, not just about an event, not just about something that the corporation does as part of what you do in community, but to hear about this kind of an impact, what does it mean to you?
27:27
SPEAKER_06: It's pretty emotional, um, honestly.
27:29
SPEAKER_06: And I think I think the first time that we had the opportunity, you got pretty emotional as well.
27:37
SPEAKER_06: I think I think it was at the um the check and I think I did also.
27:43
SPEAKER_06: Um I I think it's hard sometimes because yes, we're a business and obviously one of our goals is is to make money and and um and I think sometimes people only see that side of what we're trying to do.
27:58
SPEAKER_06: Um but I think that's why I'm so proud of this this company and then so proud of her is what she has uh meant to the community in the very short period of time that she's been here.
28:10
SPEAKER_06: Um and I think you know activation with with you all can mean different things.
28:18
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, sometimes it's it's a financial gift, but then I think sometimes it's also getting giving light to what you all are doing.
28:26
SPEAKER_06: And so if we have a thousand people that came out to this race, whether they're spectating or running, but then they see who we're partnering with, that gives you all this visibility that maybe you didn't have before.
28:41
SPEAKER_06: And and and that's our goal is yeah, we want to help out potentially financially, uh and then we also have a business to run.
28:48
SPEAKER_06: But if we can bring light to these just incredible organizations and people that are trying to help the community we were involved in as well, that that that's huge for us.
28:59
SPEAKER_03: Covers a lot of bases there.
29:00
SPEAKER_03: That's good for everybody.
29:02
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
29:02
SPEAKER_03: Kirsten, you um had not experienced homelessness where you were from in Utah.
29:08
SPEAKER_03: Um obviously it's a big eye opener, not just what Topeka Rescue Mission does to help this um uh people who are experiencing homelessness and hunger and on and on.
29:18
SPEAKER_03: You know, we're all in our lives looking for why am I here?
29:22
SPEAKER_03: Uh what's my purpose?
29:24
SPEAKER_03: Uh has this helped you kind of identify your purpose a little bit more by being involved, not just with Fleet Feet, but what you're doing in this community.
29:33
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I mean I'll get emotional talking about it, but just moving to Kansas like changed my life, to be honest.
29:43
SPEAKER_01: This is like a crazy day for me because like a year ago today, um, I was hit by a car and ultimately that brought me to Kansas.
29:54
SPEAKER_01: And I never like pictured this being my life moving here or working for Fleafy or any of that.
30:05
SPEAKER_01: And I've reflected a lot um today about how um really like tough or sad situations are truly magical because it brings out like so much light if you look for it.
30:19
SPEAKER_01: So, you know, you think of homelessness as this terrible thing because it's really sad that people can't afford homes or have some place to call home.
30:28
SPEAKER_01: But then you like look around at all of these people here at Topeka Rescue Mission that are like you know, serving a purpose and trying to bring people to homes.
30:38
SPEAKER_01: And there is just so much light in really dark situations, if you think about it.
30:43
SPEAKER_01: And I've never seen community like community in Kansas.
30:48
SPEAKER_01: It is just crazy.
30:49
SPEAKER_01: Midwest people are just so kind and so willing to help everybody.
30:55
SPEAKER_01: It's I mean, I've never, yeah, I've never met people like the people in Kansas.
31:01
SPEAKER_01: And so, I mean, I feel blessed that they have let me into their community more so than, you know, me coming there.
31:11
SPEAKER_01: I I think it's really been them welcoming me that makes me feel like so excited to do everything that I'm doing.
31:19
SPEAKER_01: Um, and that's why I have like all these great ideas, is it's really just based off the fact that people are excited that I'm here.
31:27
SPEAKER_01: Um and so it we all just feed off of each other's energy.
31:31
SPEAKER_01: But I mean, yeah, I love this community and I'm really glad that they let me be part of it.
31:36
SPEAKER_03: Well, I think that uh everybody's really glad they did too.
31:39
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
31:40
SPEAKER_03: To have you and the enthusiasm, the energy.
31:43
SPEAKER_03: Yes.
31:43
SPEAKER_03: You know, even the purpose.
31:44
SPEAKER_03: I mean, you thank you for being transparent about where you were a year ago and how that was a part of why you're here.
31:53
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
31:54
SPEAKER_03: And then we look at these things uh in the scripture, it says God works all things together for good that to them that love him and call them according to his purpose.
32:01
SPEAKER_03: Sometimes we wonder if that's true.
32:03
SPEAKER_03: And then we look back and we go, huh.
32:05
SPEAKER_05: Look at this.
32:06
SPEAKER_03: Okay, look at that.
32:07
SPEAKER_03: That's right.
32:08
SPEAKER_03: You know, um about something that's even bigger than us.
32:11
SPEAKER_03: And uh, you know, every single person uh that the rescue mission encounters, um, as Lamanda has said so many times in Mago Day, in the image of God.
32:20
SPEAKER_03: And when we look at them in that light, not a homeless person, that's a label.
32:24
SPEAKER_03: That's a that's an experience that they're having, but they're a person to look at them in a unique way as God looks at us thankfully.
32:32
SPEAKER_03: Um I mean, he could look at us as all sinners and all bad and all those kind of things, which probably true.
32:40
SPEAKER_03: But he looks beyond that into who we are and the value that we are, and then he calls certain cool people along to be a part of that whole system.
32:49
SPEAKER_03: Uh it's not just the rescue mission over there doing that thing.
32:52
SPEAKER_03: Um, I think that I would stretch it out to say, you're part of the rescue mission team.
32:57
SPEAKER_03: Um and what does that mean?
32:59
SPEAKER_03: Not just an organization, but a group of people have come together and says, Yeah, I see Omago Day.
33:04
SPEAKER_03: I see the image of God in people, I see the value in people.
33:08
SPEAKER_03: It's not okay that they have no place to go.
33:11
SPEAKER_03: It's not okay that they didn't eat yesterday.
33:13
SPEAKER_03: It's not okay that they hurt.
33:15
SPEAKER_03: It's not okay that maybe they don't have feet to walk on anymore because of whatever happened in their lives, that uh they're in a wheelchair now or they're in a walker or they're broken or whatever.
33:26
SPEAKER_03: And then, Michael, to you to your point, to to bring people together to not only um do a fundraiser, but to put a spotlight on an organization that represents something much, much more than that place in North Topeka.
33:41
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
33:42
SPEAKER_03: And to be a part of that.
33:43
SPEAKER_03: 100%.
33:43
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
33:44
SPEAKER_03: So what's next?
33:45
SPEAKER_03: What's um what's your vision?
33:48
SPEAKER_01: I mean, my vision is just to grow the turkey trot even bigger, now knowing that there is like a need for it and that people want to participate.
33:57
SPEAKER_01: Um, I think I have bigger goals for this next season, and with that comes bigger goals for Topeka Rescue Mission.
34:05
SPEAKER_01: Um, I would love to think more about more than you know the money aspect, like me and Michael talked about, more than just raising money, which we want to do that, but also highlighting they have volunteer opportunities.
34:21
SPEAKER_01: I think the running community is really special in that we understand volunteering because of all the races that we do or participate in.
34:29
SPEAKER_01: That it isn't possible without volunteers.
34:31
SPEAKER_01: And Topeka Rescue Mission is also not possible without volunteers.
34:35
SPEAKER_01: And I think if we can really highlight that aspect as well with our community, I think that could be a very big benefit to Topeka Rescue Mission for this next year.
34:45
SPEAKER_01: Um so I would love to highlight some more volunteer opportunities moving forward with the turkey trot, and then of course, try to be our goal of the money that we raised last year and give you guys a bigger check.
34:58
SPEAKER_01: Um I would love to focus more on the food donation aspect as well.
35:03
SPEAKER_01: That was one that um I thought we could have done better on, um, just getting more food for you guys.
35:09
SPEAKER_01: And so um that's that's kind of my goal and vision for for next year.
35:15
SPEAKER_03: How cool is that really.
35:17
SPEAKER_03: I mean, that just uh yeah, just um too bad for Utah.
35:24
SPEAKER_03: But uh I I I love setting goals for other people.
35:27
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
35:27
SPEAKER_03: So I'd love to set a goal for you.
35:29
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
35:32
SPEAKER_03: Rescue run, set a goal of a thousand.
35:34
SPEAKER_03: We never made it.
35:34
SPEAKER_03: Oh, really?
35:39
SPEAKER_03: And so it wouldn't be.
35:40
SPEAKER_03: You don't want to challenge this girl.
35:43
SPEAKER_03: So just whatever, take it to that next level, you know, because and and I think one of the reasons, as we found out, is that five K's became very popular.
35:51
SPEAKER_05: Yes.
35:52
SPEAKER_03: And so you can only do so in five many five K's in a week, right?
35:55
SPEAKER_03: So otherwise you're worn out.
35:57
SPEAKER_03: But uh yeah, just a fun goal.
35:58
SPEAKER_03: Just a thing.
35:59
SPEAKER_03: I love it.
36:00
SPEAKER_03: Uh-huh.
36:00
SPEAKER_03: All right.
36:01
SPEAKER_03: Awesome.
36:01
SPEAKER_03: Good love setting goals for other people.
36:04
SPEAKER_03: So anyway, Lamanda Merriam, anything else today?
36:07
SPEAKER_00: Um, one thing I thought about with um Fleet Feet is, you know, I had a personal experience too.
36:14
SPEAKER_00: Um, and so it's really neat to be able to not only have a personal experience with them, but then see what they do full circle.
36:21
SPEAKER_00: Um, but in, you know, 2022, I had broken my back and um kind of kept that pretty low profile because it was around the time that you decided yeah, you needed to retire.
36:34
SPEAKER_00: And so then I was trying to take on a new job and getting shot at on the interstate and breaking my back in a car wreck.
36:40
SPEAKER_00: And yeah, it was a lovely four weeks coming to this work.
36:46
SPEAKER_00: Um, yeah, not what I thought surrendering to ministry minute.
36:49
SPEAKER_00: But um, anyway, so for that next um about a year, you know, I was in and out of a lot of appointments and um receiving gosh, spinal blocks and procedures, everything shy of back surgery.
37:06
SPEAKER_00: And um so then in 2023, really started looking at I had spoken to two neurosur surgeons and they were saying the only option was back surgery.
37:16
SPEAKER_00: And at that time, you know, I was in my early to mid-30s, and that didn't seem right.
37:21
SPEAKER_00: And so, fast forward, I really did some research on what I can do to help my back heal.
37:28
SPEAKER_00: Um, and one of the things that I came across was footwear and fleet feet uh popped up.
37:36
SPEAKER_00: So I went in and I had never been in there.
37:38
SPEAKER_00: Um, and the man that helped me was just so nice.
37:44
SPEAKER_00: And I remember telling him, like, I'm not here for fashion and I'm not here to run.
37:50
SPEAKER_00: Like, if I run, you should run.
37:52
SPEAKER_00: Something's chasing me.
37:54
SPEAKER_00: Like I need to, but I'm not there yet.
37:57
SPEAKER_00: And I told the guy that and he laughed and I said, but I'm I'm recovering with a broken back.
38:02
SPEAKER_00: And I said, I really need something.
38:04
SPEAKER_00: Ended up, um, I saved up, but I got a pair of Hokus.
38:08
SPEAKER_00: First time I'd ever spent money on tennis shoes.
38:11
SPEAKER_00: I just, I don't know, never did that.
38:13
SPEAKER_00: And that was a game changer.
38:16
SPEAKER_00: I still have them.
38:17
SPEAKER_00: They do not look the same because I have put a lot of miles on those HOCAs.
38:22
SPEAKER_00: Um, and now my youngest daughter wears them more than what I probably do.
38:27
SPEAKER_00: But, anyways, to have that experience to know that you can personally be going into this business with excitement, getting new running gear, walking gear, if that's in the season you're in.
38:38
SPEAKER_00: Or if you were like me and you've had an injury and you need to take care of yourself in a very intentional way, they had options.
38:46
SPEAKER_00: He knew what I was talking about.
38:47
SPEAKER_00: He was like, Yep, you need something that's gonna help the lower back.
38:51
SPEAKER_00: And he knew, and I went to those.
38:53
SPEAKER_00: So then to have that experience individually and know that that's such a blessing to our community, but then see kind of this um backbone that they have too of this community impact.
39:05
SPEAKER_00: They're doing it every day.
39:06
SPEAKER_00: They are blessing individuals with their business, but then they're also doing this collective impact.
39:12
SPEAKER_00: And so to me, it's just huge.
39:14
SPEAKER_00: And um, we're really grateful for you all.
39:17
SPEAKER_03: So obviously fleet fleet feed is not just about running, it's about uh helping people to get around.
39:23
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, whatever.
39:24
SPEAKER_06: And too, I mean, if you don't mind me interrupting to Amanda's point, I I think you hit on something that is really, really important.
39:31
SPEAKER_06: I think there's kind of three pongs to me as a leader, and that is to take care of my people that work for us and have 80 employees over the four stores.
39:42
SPEAKER_06: But then obviously the impact that we're trying to make in the community.
39:45
SPEAKER_06: Uh-huh.
39:46
SPEAKER_06: But if we take someone that we see in the community and bring them into the store, if we're not doing a good job for them in the store and providing the solutions, you can go down the street to a big box store and and get that.
40:00
SPEAKER_06: So we really emphasize kind of a personalized approach when you come in.
40:07
SPEAKER_06: And most people don't realize, and sometimes they'll come in and they'll be like, I'm not a runner.
40:12
SPEAKER_06: And we get that all the time.
40:14
SPEAKER_06: Well, 70% of the people that come into our store are not runners.
40:18
SPEAKER_06: Interesting.
40:19
SPEAKER_06: We have huge medical outreach that that Kirsten oversees for us here in Topeka.
40:24
SPEAKER_06: Um we want to make sure that to your point we meet you in the season that you're in, and we want to take care of whatever that resource is for you.
40:33
SPEAKER_06: We've got a this great 3D scanner where we can take a look at you know your foot shape and size, have you walk a little bit to look at what that looks like, and then from there make the best um suggestion for whatever works best for you.
40:49
SPEAKER_06: And you mentioned Hoka, that's one of our great brands.
40:51
SPEAKER_06: We've got 11 or 12 different brands that we can work with.
40:55
SPEAKER_06: So um really excited to kind of bring this whole full circle thing that you were mentioning.
41:00
SPEAKER_06: Community making sure that we take care of you in the community and then I take care of them.
41:05
SPEAKER_03: So for those that don't know where you're located, where is that?
41:09
SPEAKER_01: Just right by Target.
41:10
SPEAKER_01: It's uh on 21st in Wanamaker.
41:13
SPEAKER_03: Okay.
41:14
SPEAKER_03: Is that right?
41:15
SPEAKER_03: That's right.
41:16
SPEAKER_03: Okay, great.
41:17
SPEAKER_03: Look at you.
41:18
SPEAKER_01: I know.
41:18
SPEAKER_01: I'm becoming so canned in the planner.
41:20
SPEAKER_03: You're a you're a towny now.
41:22
SPEAKER_03: I really want to make it.
41:23
SPEAKER_01: It's right, yeah, right off Wanamaker by Target and Cece's Pizza, right in between the two.
41:28
SPEAKER_00: When I first came, Barry would say, I like I would tell him something was happening, and he'd be like, Is that north?
41:35
SPEAKER_00: I'm like, I don't know, but it's by such and such, such and such.
41:39
SPEAKER_00: Now that I've done this for five years, I'm I'm pretty decent.
41:43
SPEAKER_00: I'll be like, Yeah, I was on the east side, west side, north.
41:46
SPEAKER_00: Every now and then I'm like, mmm, I have to think about it.
41:48
SPEAKER_03: Well, after she knew where north was, because that's where North Topeka rescue mission is in here.
41:53
SPEAKER_03: As long as she could get to the mission going north, she was gonna be fine.
41:56
SPEAKER_03: I'm not sure she's got the south, east, and west part down yet.
42:01
SPEAKER_03: She's from Arkansas, but nothing.
42:02
SPEAKER_03: I wouldn't say anything about that.
42:04
SPEAKER_03: That's right.
42:04
SPEAKER_03: So anyway, well, guys, thanks for doing what you've done.
42:08
SPEAKER_03: Thanks for being here.
42:09
SPEAKER_03: Fleet feet, um, go visit them out uh I want to make her N21st.
42:14
SPEAKER_03: And uh just um uh thank you for just what you've shared with us today.
42:19
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, and uh thank you for you're helping people that need a voice.
42:24
SPEAKER_03: Um you're moving, uh pardon the pun, but you're moving with Topeka Rescue Mission, not for Topeka Rescue Mission or them for m moving with as a community that cares, that wants to make a difference in people's lives, not just with their feet, but their whole lives.
42:39
SPEAKER_03: So thank you for being a part of this and looking forward to more in that thousand.
42:43
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and you can sign up right now if you want for the for the turkey drop.
42:48
SPEAKER_01: It is open.
42:48
SPEAKER_03: How do you do that?
42:49
SPEAKER_01: Yep.
42:50
SPEAKER_01: The lowest pricing is from now until August, and so obviously there won't be a lot of signups until then, but um, you can go sign up if you look up to Pika Turkey Trop.
42:59
SPEAKER_03: Okay, very good.
43:00
SPEAKER_03: And uh so Lake Shawnee again?
43:02
SPEAKER_01: TBD.
43:03
SPEAKER_03: TBD.
43:04
SPEAKER_01: Okay.
43:04
SPEAKER_03: So if I'm out there, I I there's no alleyways at Lake Shawnee for me to cut through to get a better record of the colour.
43:09
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, but you can just turn around and get a little paddle boat, go across and so do the whole thing.
43:15
SPEAKER_00: Her wheels are turning now because you gave her that thousand goals, so she's like, man, do we need to be TBD?
43:20
SPEAKER_03: Go and that's right.
43:24
SPEAKER_03: Well, thank you for being here.
43:25
SPEAKER_03: Uh thank you all for listening to our community our mission.
43:27
SPEAKER_03: You have just heard from great community partners uh about this effort to love our neighbors, ourselves, to reach out to those who uh need a voice, but need a place to stay, that need a hope and need a future.
43:38
SPEAKER_03: And uh, you as contributors to the rescue mission, you uh who listen to a podcast called Our Community Our Mission, are part of this great effort.
43:46
SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
43:47
SPEAKER_03: If you'd like more information about Topeka Rescue Mission, you could go to TRMonline.org.
43:52
SPEAKER_03: That's T R Monline.org.
43:55
SPEAKER_03: Have a great national pack your lunch day.