Civic Luncheon 2026
The Salvation Army of Kansas and Western Missouri's annual community Civic Luncheon.
You’re Invited to our Community Civic Luncheon!
We invite your company to attend and be a hero to help end hunger in Kansas City.
When: May 7, 2026 | 12:00pm
Where: Downtown Marriott | 200 W. 12th St. Kansas City, MO
Cost: $1,750 for a table | $175 for an individual ticket
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We are excited to announce the return of our annual Civic Lunch for 2026!
This year’s Civic Lunch will “kick” off a summer of soccer in Kansas City with special guest Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City Legend, FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Ambassador, former member of the U.S. Soccer Men's National Team, and the first Kansan to play in a World Cup match.
Emceed by Matt McMullen, Chiefs Team Reporter, the program will showcase
the local impact of The Salvation Army, recognize our annual OTHERS and William Booth volunteer award winners, and feature an exciting conversation moderated by Jillian Carroll, KC Current Broadcast Analyst & Play-by-Play Commentator and FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Ambassador.
Our esteemed guest speaker this year is none other than Matt Besler, a former Sporting Kansas City soccer player as well as U.S. Soccer Men's National Team member, and a current FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Ambassador.
Matt Besler is a retired professional soccer player renowned for his leadership, defensive prowess, and deep-rooted connection to Kansas City. Among numerous accolades for Sporting KC, he also collected 47 caps for the US Men's National Team that included starting all 4 games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he also became the first Kansan to play in a World Cup.
In June 2025, Besler was inducted as the newest member of Sporting Legends, officially cementing his place as a fan favorite on and off the field.
We are also pleased to welcome Jillian Carroll to the program!
Jillian Carroll is a seasoned sports entertainment anchor and reporter with a wealth of broadcast experience, from sideline reporting for professional sports teams to on-air broadcast journalism.
As both a former athlete and a member of the media, Jillian offers a rare and compelling perspective. Whether she’s hosting community events or sharing fresh, unfiltered insights on her podcast "Sports & SHEnanigans", she stands out as a dynamic voice in the local media scene.
Known for her unmatched passion, high energy, and authentic connection with fans, Jillian is a trailblazer—thriving in the sports world through the empowering lens of a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Matt McMullen is entering his tenth season with the Kansas City Chiefs, and his sixth as Senior Team Reporter. In his current role, Matt serves as a multimedia content creator responsible for writing articles for Chiefs.com, producing videos for Chiefs social, conducting interviews and generally covering the team on a day-to-day basis. Matt also works closely with Voice of the Chiefs Mitch Holthus on the “Defending the Kingdom” podcast, “Field Pass” pre-game show and “Chiefs Rewind” post-game show.
Matt is a native of Kansas City and treasures every day he gets to cover his childhood team.
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Sponsorship Opportunities
View Sponsorship Opportunities
Please contact Karla Schuning to discuss sponsorships
Email: karla.schuning@usc.salvationarmy.org | Phone: 913-461-6605
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You won't want to miss it!
When: May 7, 2026 | 12:00-1:30pm
Where: Downtown Marriott | 200 W. 12th St. Kansas City, MO
Cost: $1,750 for a table | $175 for an individual ticket
In addition to being interviewed alongside other special guests during our lunch, Besler will host a VIP breakfast limited to 30 guests.
Besler VIP Breakfast:
Thursday, May 7, 2026
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Kansas City Marriott Downtown – 200 W 12th St., KCMO
VIP Breakfast participation is limited. Contact Karla Schuning karla.schuning@usc.salvationarmy.org for more information and availability