 September 2026A Message From The Founder Of PubLife It has been another busy month for PubLife, and we've continued making steady progress as we grow. This month, we were able to complete another assistance case, helping a hospitality worker cover an unexpected medical expense. Every time we're able to do that, we're reminded why PubLife exists and why building a sustainable organization matters. We've also continued expanding our relationships throughout the healthcare and hospitality communities. These conversations are helping us identify new ways to connect hospitality workers with resources and strengthen the network of support available to them. Looking ahead, we're preparing for our first PubLife Presents: Hospitality Leadership Forum on September 29. We're excited to bring people from across the hospitality community together for an evening focused on mental health, workplace wellness, and practical resources for our industry. Behind the scenes, we're also continuing to develop new programs and systems that will help PubLife grow responsibly and serve more people as we move forward. There is still a lot of work ahead, but we're encouraged by the progress we're making, humbled by the support of new team members, and grateful to everyone who continues to support the mission Together, we're serving the ones who serve us. With gratitude, Vincent Mandacina Founder & Executive Director If You Missed It...September has been a month of meaningful progress for PubLife. We processed our second assistance grant, helping another hospitality worker manage an unexpected medical expense. We continued building our healthcare provider network, establishing new relationships that can help connect hospitality workers with additional care and community resources. We welcomed new team members to PubLife, expanding the people and experience behind the organization as we prepare for our next stage of growth. And there's more ahead. We're continuing to build the systems, partnerships, and programs that will allow PubLife to serve more hospitality workers as we grow.   Join PubLife for our first Hospitality Leadership Forum, bringing hospitality workers, healthcare professionals, and workplace leaders together for an evening focused on mental health, workplace wellness, and hospitality burnout. The evening will feature a presentation from Heather Graves of Heartland Mental Health, along with resources from Heartland and PubLife. Whole Harvest Kitchen will be providing hors d'oeuvres for a cocktail hour before the symposium. Guests will also have an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and network with other hospitality professionals. This is a free resource that can prove incredibly valuable to any workplace. We look forward to seeing you September 29 at Afterword Tavern & Shelves in the Emerald City Room. Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Afterword Tavern & Shelves 3105 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64109 Emerald City Room 5:30–6:00 PM Cocktail Hour 6:00–7:00 PM Symposium 7:00–7:30 PM Open Forum Guests welcome! RSVP with number attending to events@publife.org.  Partner SpotlightBobby Baker's Lounge Bobby Baker's Lounge Some places become part of a neighborhood. Others become part of the people who walk through their doors. Bobby Baker opened his namesake lounge in Kansas City's Waldo district decades ago. Bobby himself has always had a personality that is somehow both electrifying and comfortable at the same time. I spent a good portion of my young adult life going into the Lounge just to enjoy Bobby's stories, the interesting people watching, an affordable bourbon or two, and the free industry advice from a man who spent his whole life in it. In 2013, Bobby retired and Becky bought the Lounge from her dad, carrying the family business into its next chapter. It was a transition they could both be proud of, and Becky has continued to build on what her father created while keeping the character and spirit that have always made Baker's special. The Lounge may have seen some physical upgrades over the years, but the spirit of the place has been there from the beginning. That spirit extends well beyond the bar itself. Bobby Baker's Lounge has consistently shown a willingness to support its community, whether that's right there in Waldo or throughout the Kansas City area. They were also generous supporters of PubLife's 2026 Lawn Party, donating to our silent auction and helping make the event possible. We're proud to recognize Bobby Baker's Lounge as this month's PubLife Partner Spotlight and grateful for the people and businesses that understand what it means to take care of their community. Thank you, Becky and the entire Bobby Baker's Lounge family, for continuing a Kansas City hospitality tradition. The must stop place in Waldo is always Baker's. Plus they have some great merch so you can represent and support local!   7418 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114 Friday 11 AM–1:30 AM Saturday 11 AM–1:30 AM Sunday 11 AM–12 AM Monday 11 AM–1:30 AM Tuesday 11 AM–1:30 AM Wednesday 11 AM–1:30 AM Thursday 11 AM–1:30 AM Added GratuityIn the hospitality industry, gratuity is more than a tip. It's a way of recognizing exceptional service and expressing genuine appreciation. That's the spirit behind this section, where we'll recognize the people and organizations whose generosity makes our mission possible. This month, we would like to give extra thanks to the families that support PubLife. We're not just talking about financial contributions. We're thankful for the people who have believed in PubLife from the beginning. Whether they have donated their time, opened their doors to us, or helped to build this organization, we owe them our gratitude every day. The Wells, Deharts, O'Reillys, Petersons, and Hueys have helped us do what we strive to do best: serving the ones who serve us. Thanks again! Get InvolvedAs PubLife grows, we're working behind the scenes to create new and exciting ways to fund the organization. Our Shared Impact Program is almost complete and will launch this coming month, with a growing number of businesses interested in joining. Our grant writing team is working hard to acquire private and government funding to sustain PubLife's mission. PubLife Presents: is preparing to announce the next public fundraiser at the end of this month. For the time being, we're grateful for the individual donors we have, but with the rising number of applications we're receiving, we need your help. Please consider visiting our Zeffy campaign and setting up a monthly or quarterly donation. If you have any questions about setting up your contribution, you can email us directly at donate@publife.org. You can make a real difference for our local hospitality industry  |
