Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2024: A Reflection of MU Extension’s Commitment to Community


Every fall, Missourians come together to celebrate Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4). This annual effort encourages residents across the state to engage in small but meaningful acts of kindness, from checking in on a neighbor to organizing a community event. But the week also shines a spotlight on the University of Missouri Extension and its deep commitment to building community, connection, and belonging.

A Statewide Effort of Councils and Teams

What makes Missouri Good Neighbor Week truly remarkable is the way Extension councils in nearly every corner of the state join in. From campus-based teams in Columbia to rural counties in the north, south, east, and west, Extension leaders and volunteers step up with projects that reflect the needs of their communities.

In fact, most of the state’s extension councils host at least one project or event during the week—proof of Extension’s role as a catalyst for local action. This demonstrates that Extension isn’t just about education and outreach; it’s about living alongside Missourians and modeling what it means to be a good neighbor.

Examples of Neighboring in Action

The projects are as diverse as Missouri itself:

  • Adair County: Volunteers gathered donations and support for neighbors in need.

  • Andrew County: The Extension council created birthday cake kits for the local food pantry, ensuring families in need could celebrate special days with joy.

  • Boone County: A campus-based team collected and delivered cereal boxes to the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Missouri.

  • Jefferson County: Faculty hosted a football watch party at Jefferson Farm, combining fun with community giving.

  • Macon County: An “essential needs drive” was organized to benefit students in a local Exceptional Pupil Cooperative school.

  • Greene County: hosted a booth with activities at Springfield Culture Festival, allowing them to interact with residents from different cultures, provided needed information, and share about being an engaged neighbor.

  • Dozens of other counties held food drives, organized cleanups, and created moments of connection that extended far beyond a single week.

In total, more than 70 projects were documented statewide, each one a testament to Extension’s grassroots leadership and its ability to inspire civic participation. In total, these projects impacted over 15,000 Missourians!

Teamwork Across the State

Missouri Good Neighbor Week is also a reminder that MU Extension is a team effort. Specialists, faculty, council members, and volunteers work side by side. The activities are not directed from the top down, but instead grow from the ground up—reflecting both local priorities and Extension’s shared mission of fostering stronger, more connected communities.

This teamwork demonstrates how Extension blends research-based knowledge with neighborly action. Whether it’s a simple food drive or a large-scale community event, each act embodies the principle that small connections add up to big change.

Building Belonging Through Neighboring

At its heart, Missouri Good Neighbor Week shows that belonging is built locally. By participating, Missourians grow their social capital, strengthen trust, and create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued.

And MU Extension is right there—not as an outside expert, but as a trusted neighbor—walking alongside communities to help make that belonging real.

👉 To learn more about Missouri Good Neighbor Week and to share your own act of neighboring, visit MissouriGoodNeighborWeek.com.


Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.


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