Thank you to everyone who helped the nearly 2,000 Christmas Bureau families in 2023. Information for 2024 will be added in late September.
The Shawnee County Christmas Bureau is an annual tradition that allows everyone in our community to make the holiday season brighter for our Shawnee County neighbors in need. United Way and other community partners connect thousands of individuals and families to a holiday meal and gifts by matching them with agencies or community “adopters.” The tabs below contain information for those needing help and those wanting to provide help by volunteering/adopting a family. Other holiday help programs are in place in other counties and are listed on separate tabs.
The 2023 Christmas Bureau Adoption process is now closed.
Our 2023 Adopter FAQ and Adopter Cost Table may answer some of your questions about adopting a family. Procedures and amounts are subject to change each year.
These Douglas County opportunities are not operated by United Way of Kaw Valley. Please visit the links for complete information.
Ballard Center Holiday Bureau
Douglas County families with children under the age of 18
Application process typically opens in October.
https://www.ballardcenter.org/holiday-bureau-adopt-a-family/
Douglas County Salvation Army
For both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals
https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/douglascounty/
Just Food
Thanksgiving meals
https://www.justfoodks.org/holidays
Jackson County runs a separate Christmas Bureau program with a different application and process.
Please visit https://www.fbcholton.com/jcmachristmas/ for complete information.
If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Ingels at 785-851-1011 or Gayle Moulden at First Baptist Church at 785-364-3423.