Spread Cheer! Giving Back in Wichita

By
Tomi Dechant
-

holiday volunteer opportunities in wichita

**UPDATED FOR 2016**

The holidays are busy.  Our time is filled with planning meals, wrapping presents, entertaining guests, and tracking down Santa for a photo.  It is also a time where we are reminded of our many blessings and seek ways to give back to our community.   If you are searching for opportunities in which you and your family can spread a little holiday cheer, we have highlighted some amazing local initiatives to help those in need!

International Rescue Committee: IRC in Wichita will be hosting their annual Giving Tree program. This program allows groups or individuals to “adopt” a newly resettled refugee family for the holidays and purchase gifts for them. For more information please contact the In-Kind Donation Coordinator at [email protected].

Operation Christmas Child: Fill a shoe box with special gifts, hygiene items, and school supplies for a child in need throughout the world.  National Collection Week is November 16-21 with several drop-off locations in the Wichita area. Share this experience with your children by helping them decide how to fill the box, wrap it, drop it off, and post it on social media with #ipackedabox.

#INSPIREHOPE: Giving Tuesday is November 29, 2016. Help EmberHope provide one month of care for the 274 foster care youth they serve. For $65 a month, you can provide a roof, bed, food, clothing and ultimately a safe home to a child. With a record number of children in foster care in Kansas, this is an incredibly simple way to help.

Operation Holiday: For more than 60 years, this program has distributed nonperishable food, fresh food vouchers, pet food, winter wear and blankets to low-income families and individuals during the holiday season. Grab your family, friends, or co-workers and organize a donation drive or simply drop off requested items at a designated drop-off location. You can also volunteer your time to help with distribution of donations to the more than 12,000 individuals who benefit from Operation Holiday each year.

Fresh Start Bags & More: The number of human trafficking cases in Kansas continues to grow. ICT S.O.S. distributes Fresh Start Bags all year long to victims of exploitation and at-risk youth. These bags provide the basic necessities for a fresh start and all you need to do is add the items to your weekly shopping list. 

Food Donation: Kansas Food Bank serves 85 counties in the state. Based on a recent study, 1 in 7 people in our service area are designated as food insecure.  The food bank has already distributed more than 10 million meals this year. The need is especially great during the holiday season. Food or funds are always appreciated! Kansas Food Bank is currently requesting donations of peanut butter, canned fruit, canned tuna or chicken, and bagged cereal.

Christmas for Kids: Through Saint Francis Community Services, you can fulfill a foster child’s Christmas wish! Donations are accepted through the first week of December and can be dropped off at a local office. To obtain a wish list, contact the Wichita office at 316-831-0330.

Adopt-A-Bell/Food Drive: Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas has two heartfelt initiatives to help individuals and families suffering from mental illness; many who do not have the ability to provide gifts for their children or are isolated adults. You partner with the agency to adopt a family and make their Christmas truly special. You can also donate ingredients necessary to make a holiday meal. Recipients are identified all the way through Christmas, though most donations should be received by mid-December. For more information, email [email protected].

More great ways for your family to give back:

Have an opportunity to add? Share it in the comments to help spread more cheer!

holiday volunteer opportunities in wichita

Tomi Dechant
Tomi Dechant
Tomi is a mover, shaker, and baby maker - which means she enjoys a good dance party in the kitchen and is a mom to two monsters of her own creation. Tomi is from Kansas and is currently a Political Science instructor and author of the children's book, How to Make a Monster Smile.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. Child Start is collecting hats and mittens for the 1,100 children enrolled in our programs. These children are ages birth to 5 years. Child Start operates the Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Sedgwick, Butler and Harper counties. Help us keep young children warm this winter by dropping off new hats and mittens at our administrative offices at 1002 S. OLIVER Street, Wichita, KS 67204. Or if you’d like to make a donation go to http://www.childstart.org.

  2. Individual snacks (pretzels, granola bars) or gift cards to purchase snacks

    Markers
    Index cards
    Paper
    Jump ropes
    Beads
    Yarn
    Construction paper
    Running shoes
    Storage containers
    Side walk chalk
    Address labels

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