As you enjoy the spoils of the holidays—gifts, meals, safety, and warmth—consider helping other Kansas Citians do the same by volunteering with one of the following organizations. You might be surprised by just how good it makes you feel.
To submit a volunteer opportunity we missed, email digitaleditor@inkansas.com.
1. Harvesters Community Food Network
Harvesters Community Food Network distributes food to people in need. It partners with organizations across the metro and has warehouses in Kansas City and Lawrence. As a volunteer, you might sort and package food, distribute meals, or serve as another valuable piece of the hunger-fighting puzzle. There are remote and in-person opportunities.
Get started with Harvesters here.
2. Happy Bottoms
Happy Bottoms provides diapers and potty training education to families that need them. It partners with social service sites and hospitals in the Kansas City area. As a volunteer, you’ll wrap diapers, box them, or fill in at another crucial joint of the potty pipeline.
Get started with Happy Bottoms here.
3. Della Lamb
Della Lamb assists vulnerable and low-income families in northeast Kansas City and the urban core. Its volunteer opportunities focus on assisting refugees; you might provide childcare or train individuals to use public transportation.Â
Get started with Della Lamb here.
On Dec. 13 and 14, Della Lamb is holding its Operation Holidays fundraising event, and you can volunteer as a greeter, gift organizer, or even data entry specialist prior to and during the event. Sign up here.
4. Life Unlimited
Life Unlimited provides various services to adults with disabilities. As a volunteer, you might maintain the organization’s many residences for people with disabilities, work at Manor Thrift Shop (whose proceeds benefit the organization), or otherwise assist this wide-reaching organization.
On Dec. 14, Life Unlimited is hosting a holiday party—complete with train rides, cookie decorating, and games—and you can sign up to volunteer here.
5. Uplift Organization
Three nights per week—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday—Uplift Organization’s vans bring food, clothes, and other essentials for people experiencing homelessness across Kansas City. As a volunteer, you can prepare meals, sort donations, or even drive the trucks.
Get started with Uplift Organization here.
6. Newhouse
Newhouse provides shelter, counseling, advocacy, and other services to people escaping domestic violence. As a volunteer, you can help in the early learning center, the kitchen, the clothing boutique, or another section of the campus.