The Shawnee County Christmas Bureau is an annual United Way of Kaw Valley tradition that relies on members of our community to make the holiday season brighter for our Shawnee County neighbors in need. United Way of Kaw Valley connect thousands of individuals and families to a holiday meal and gifts by matching them with local agencies or community “adopters.”
Applications will be available to download/print on this page in October. You can fill out your application before coming to the intake center for faster service on one of our four intake dates. There are no electronic/digital applications. We will verify your household income.
2026 Intake Dates
- Monday, November 2, 2026, 10 am to 7 pm
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 10 am to 7 pm
- Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10 am to 7 pm
- Saturday, November 7, 10 am to 2 pm FINAL DAY OF INTAKE. NO LATE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED.
Intake takes place at the Johnston Community Center in the Echo Ridge neighborhood. The address is 2021 SE Market. The center is just southwest of the Topeka Housing Authority office. Please note that all intake dates are during the same week this year.
Scroll to the tabs below to see holiday help programs in other counties. Information is updated each year as it becomes available. If you know of addition programs in Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson or Douglas County, please email that information to contact@uwkawvalley.org.
These Douglas County opportunities are not operated by United Way of Kaw Valley. Please visit the links for complete information.
Ballard Center Holiday Bureau (Applications open 10/5)
The Ballard Center is proud to be part of the Holiday Bureau’s collaborative network of local nonprofits that help match families in need with donors who provide enrolled families with holiday gifts.
Who is eligible for this program?
Any family living in Douglas County with children who are under the age of 18. All children will receive gifts worth a rough value of $100 per person, and one parent/guardian from each family will be eligible to request a gift certificate for a meal for the holidays.
When do Adopt-A-Family sign-ups open and close this year?
Ballard will open the application process to the community on October 5, 2026, and will close the application process on October 30, 2026. All interested applicants can call the Ballard Center at 785-842-0729 to schedule a 30-minute enrollment appointment with Ballard’s Adopt-A-Family support staff. More information is available at https://www.ballardcenter.org/holiday-bureau-adopt-a-family/.
Douglas County Salvation Army (not yet announced)
Douglas County Angel Tree
Providing gifts for children 17 and under.
1202 E 23rd St., Lawrence, KS
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Pq1StfMqJ/
Register at address above or online: https://saangeltree.org/
Email
Eudora Lions Club Angel Tree (not yet announced)
30-50 Eudora families, gifts for kids 18 and under and holiday meal items.
More information on Facebook
Jackson County Ministerial Alliance Christmas Bureau (Deadline 11/13/2026)
Jackson County runs a separate Christmas Bureau program with a different application and process.
The Jackson County application deadline is Friday, November 13, 2026.
Please visit https://www.fbcholton.com/jcmachristmas/ for complete information.
The Christmas Bureau will be held Friday, December 11 and donations are greatly appreciated.
- Gifts for ages birth through high school senior
- Items for the essential bags (see link above for details)
- Non-perishable food items
- Monetary Donation
The essential bag items and food may be delivered to First Baptist Church (404 Juniper Drive).
If you have any questions, please please contact Gayle Moudlen office@fbcholton.com or 785-364-3423.