Dear reader,

We need your help.

Coronavirus has brought unanticipated and significant challenges to our families and our communities. And how we respond to this pandemic is the biggest story of our lives.

At The Star, we feel a responsibility to keep you informed with breaking news and beyond. Much of our reporting reflects the enterprising journalism we have consistently produced, going back 140 years. We strive to deliver answers to questions both asked and anticipated. This is the kind of work that rarely appears in other local media.

We are grateful we can be here for you.

And like you, we are stressed. About our health and our ability to do our work. The pandemic has brought layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions to newsrooms large and small. We’re fighting to hold the line, like many local businesses, and so far we’ve done so thanks to your readership and support via digital and print subscriptions.

But it’s a steep hill, and we’re thinking creatively about how to climb it.

If you see value in what we’re doing every day, and if you can support us, please help us bridge this gap.

Your tax-deductible gift can ensure we continue to report on the coronavirus and all of its impacts across our communities. We aim to raise $200,000 to keep our reporters reporting, our videographers recording and our editors at work delivering essential news and information to you.

With help from the Local Media Foundation, your gift goes directly to ensuring sustainability for The Star and continued accountability reporting as we navigate this critical time.

The Kansas City Star - COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.