This is a time of year when many are looking to give back and others are in need of a little help. Here are a few ways you can give and receive this holiday season:
Giving in the Manhattan Area
- Flint Hills Breadbasket is holding its annual Mayor’s Christmas Holiday Food and Fund Drive. Monetary donations and food donations will be accepted. The Breadbasket also hosts volunteers throughout the year, and you may contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (785) 537-0730 to discuss opportunities.
- It costs approximately $40 to provide a food basket for a family of four. If you would like to make a donation, please make checks payable to:The Mayor’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive
905 Yuma
Manhattan, KS 66502
Giving in the KC Area
- Adopt a family through Operation Breakthrough by providing three new, unwrapped gifts for each child in the family, which will likely be the only gift the child(ren) will receive. Call (816) 329-5222 for more information.
- Harvesters—Kansas City’s only food bank—gladly accepts donations of time, food, and money in order to help serve over 388,000 people each year in the Kansas City area.
- Give the gift of Christmas through the Angel Tree program by adopting a child and purchasing Christmas gifts for him or her.
Giving in the Wichita Area
- The Wichita Children’s Home is always in need of volunteers and donations to support children it serves. You can make a donation or apply to volunteer to cook a meal or spend time with the kids.
- The Kansas Food Bank accepts food and monetary donations throughout the year, as well as volunteers.
- Participate in the Angel Tree program and provide gifts to a child who would otherwise be left out on Christmas.
Giving in other Areas
- The Salvation Army’s Share the Warmth program helps families in Kansas with paying their winter heating bills. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
- Food pantries all over Kansas are in need of food and monetary donations and volunteers. http://www.foodpantries.org/st/kansas and click on the city names on the right-hand side to find the contact information for the nearest food pantry. Ask the pantry what its needs are and volunteer or donate to make a difference in your area!
- Make a difference in the lives of individuals and families who are at risk of entering the cycle of poverty by donating to www.modestneeds.org.
Receiving in the Manhattan Area
- Flint Hills Breadbasket coordinates several food assistance programs in the Manhattan area. Call (785) 537-0730 to see if you, your family, or someone you know can receive food assistance from the Breadbasket.
- Bread of Hope is a food distributor that provides groceries at a discounted price to anyone at any income level. Food orders may be placed online and food may be picked up at the nearest host site. (Compassionate Ministries in Junction City is the host site for the Manhattan area.)
Receiving in the KC Area
- Request Christmas toys for a child through Toys for Tots by selecting your state and county here, then clicking “Request a Toy” to find the contact person for your area.
- Harvesters is Kansas City’s only food bank, providing food assistance to individuals and families throughout the community. Type in your zip code here to find the nearest services.
- Energy assistance from LIHEAP is available for eligible individuals and families. Applications for the program can be found here.
Receiving in the Wichita Area
- Gaballi provides discounted groceries for anyone at any income level. Food orders are placed online and orders are picked up at the nearest host site. (The Benton Church in Benton, KS, is the host site for the Wichita area.)
- Sign up for Mission of Hope Christmas Assistance through the Salvation Army if you or someone you know is struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.
- The Kansas Food Bank provides hunger relief to individuals and families in the Wichita area and across Kansas. Call (316) 265-3663 for more information.
Receiving in Other Areas
- Individuals or families struggling to pay heating bills may contact the Salvation Army’s Share the Warmth program toll-free at 1-877-566-2769, extension 402 to receive an application for utility assistance.
- There are food pantries in all areas of Kansas that help with food assistance. Go to http://www.foodpantries.org/st/kansas and click on the city names on the right-hand side to find the contact information for the nearest food pantry.
- Eligible individuals and families can apply for a Modest Needs grant to help restore financial self-sufficiency.
*If you or someone you know is looking to volunteer OR is in need of assistance at any time of the year, please visit www.211.org. Simply type in your zip code, click “Search for Community Services,” and look through the organizations and programs in your area.