The Little Red Truck donation boxes returned to storefronts in Richmond and Excelsior Springs last month as residents filled them with food for families preparing for Thanksgiving. What began as a small effort seven years ago has grown into a shared tradition across both towns, with local businesses hosting the turkeythemed boxes and community members stepping in to support their neighbors. Excelsior Springs Standard and Richmond News General Manager Sharon Donat said the idea started in 2018 when she was working in sales at the Richmond News and wanted to build something that connected the paper directly to the community during the holidays. “It made a real difference for families during the holidays,” said Donat. She noted the first year, the Richmond effort was known as Stuff the Red Truck and focused on making sure every household could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. The food drive expanded over the years and in 2024 grew to include Excelsior Springs. “Bringing both communities…