12/1 UPDATE: 200 ADOPTERS STILL NEEDED
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.
Adopter information can be found below under Adopter Info (Shawnee Co.) tab.
If you are not able to adopt a family this year but would like to make a donation, you can do that safely and securely online or you can mail or bring your donation to our Topeka office at 1527 SW Fairlawn Rd., Topeka, KS 66604. Our office is open to the public between 9 am and 4 pm Monday through Thursday and 9 am and 1 pm on Friday.
This form is for those who want to adopt a family or an individual through the 2023 Christmas Bureau.
Please review the 2023 Adopter FAQ and Adopter Cost Table before you complete the form. Our office will be closed November 23 and 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday, so requests made during Thanksgiving week will be matched when our elves return on Monday, November 27.
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 opened October 23 and closed November 10, 2023)
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
Thanksgiving sign-up closed Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
https://www.justfoodks.org/holidays
Jackson County runs a separate Christmas Bureau program with a different application and process. The Jackson County application deadline is Friday, November 10.
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.