Below is a list of Kansas City area warming shelters that are accepting donations. If you are able to, please donate warm clothing, coats or other requested items. If you are unable to make a physical donation, consider donating funds online or purchasing items off the organization's wish list.

If you are outside of the Kansas City area, we encourage you to find a local homeless or warming shelter and provide a donation of warm clothing, coats, linens or other necessities.

Scott Eicke (Kansas City Convention Center) Warming Center

Kansas City, MO - The City of Kansas City is working with the Downtown Community Improvement District and additional organizations to expand its work to care for the unhoused by opening a new cold-weather shelter, The Scott Eicke Warming Center, at the Kansas City Convention Center. Donations needed:

• Clothing: Snow boots or insulated/waterproof shoes for adults (more men than women), socks, hats, scarves, gloves, men and women’s underwear, heavy winter coats, hoodies/sweatshirts & thermal shirts and pants, warm clothing that can be layered

• Linens (must be laundered): Sleeping bags. Sheets, blankets, pillow and pillowcases. Towels & washcloths.

Donations drop off times: Monday - Sunday from Noon - 2 pm, in front of the Bartle Hall Convention Center entrance at 13th & Wyandotte – doors leading to the 2100 Lobby. Volunteers will be there to assist you.

Learn more or donate online here.

Cross-Lines

Kansas City, KS - Cross-Lines provides direct assistance to at-risk families, the elderly, and single individuals struggling to make ends meet in KCK. They are providing a day-time warming shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Donate online, view their winter clothes donation wishlist or visit their Amazon wishlist.

Uplift

Kansas City, MO - For over 30 years, Uplift has been taking food, clothing, and other essential items out to the homeless on the streets of Kansas City. They go out three nights a week and typically serve 200-400 people each night. Donate funding, view their in-kind donation wishlists (including warm clothing) or visit their Amazon wishlist.

Hope Faith

Kansas City, MO - Hope Faith works to alleviate homelessness and poverty in Kansas City, Missouri by providing critical assistance and services as well as empowerment for at-risk and homeless individuals. They provide daytime services year-round and have opened a cold weather dorm for the season. Donate online or visit their Amazon wishlist.

Project 10 20 (Lenexa, KS)

Lenexa, KS - Project 10 20 is an overnight cold-weather shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Johnson County. They provide transportation to and from the shelter, a hot evening meal, grab and go breakfast in the morning, safe place to sleep, care, compassion and support. Donate online.

Partner Schools Drive - Save the Date
March 20 | 9-11 am

The Partner Schools Ministry will be holding a drive for personal hygiene items and outwear. New or gently used and laundered spring coats can be dropped off at all campuses that morning.

Assist at one of 5 off-site drive-through food distribution events. Registration is required. Volunteers should be prepared to be outdoors, on their feet, and be able to lift at least 30 lbs.

Monday, March 8, 2021
3:00 – 6:00 pm
One Spirit UM Church
7900 Blue Ridge Blvd Raytown, MO 64138

Tuesday, March 9, 2021
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Quindaro Community Center
2726 Brown Ave Kansas City, KS 66104

Thursday, March 11, 2021
3:00 – 6:00 pm
East High School
1924 Van Brunt Blvd Kansas City, MO 64127

Saturday, March 27, 2021
Noon – 3:00 pm
Welborn Elementary
5200 Leavenworth Rd Kansas City, KS 66104

Tuesday, March 30, 2021
3:00 – 6:00 pm
JA Rogers Elementary
6400 23^rd Street Kansas City, MO 64129

There are more than 13,000 families in Kansas City struggling to find affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City partners with families to provide strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build or rehab and purchase their own decent home with an affordable zero-interest mortgage. Help be part of the solution by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Sign-up to serve on one of the following Saturdays:

• Mar 20, 2021
• Apr 17, 2021
• May 22, 2021

Space is limited due to COVID-19 precautions.

Construction Volunteer Information from Habitat:

• Construction volunteers do not need to have any prior experience in construction or bring any of their own tools; we will give you all of the education and tools you need!
• In case of inclement weather, please call our Weather Hotline at 816-924-1096, press 6, press 1 to hear the recorded message for any cancellations or changes. We update the message by 7:15 a.m. each morning.
• All volunteers are required to wear a mask over mouth and nose at all times, except while eating. To review our full COVID-19 volunteer safety policy, please click here.
• We ask that all volunteers stay the full day, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• We will have 30 minutes set aside for lunchtime. You will need to provide your own lunches. Feel free to bring your lunch or have lunch delivered to the site.
• We recommend you bring your own water. Due to COVID-19 safety policies, we will not be providing water or snacks.
• Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirt, mud, or house paint on, and wear sturdy/closed-toe & heeled shoes (NO flip flops, sandals, or crocs!) If you have work gloves, please bring them.
• Dress for the weather. If there has been rain on previous days, be prepared for the sites to be muddy.
• The use, purchase and possession of alcohol, drugs, and weapons are forbidden on Habitat KC property and volunteer sites.
• All volunteers must be 16 or older to volunteer. Any volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out our Minor Volunteer Waiver and Permission Form.

Cultural Competency Training

Cultural Competency training is required before serving in on-going Kansas City Mission programs in order to provide a safe environment for all those we serve. Empowering and educational, this training will provide each participant with a heightened awareness about our neighbors and cross-cultural interactions. Those who need this training may be interested in serving on the bookmobile, at the food pantry, as a tutor, or in a classroom at one of our partner schools. Additionally, individuals who are interested in serving with our partner organizations should plan to take this training.

Upcoming Training Dates (Registration is required)

All classes will take place over Zoom from 9 am - 11 am.
Seating is limited and classes not meeting a minimum size may be rescheduled. Please be sure to carefully select an appropriate date.

Click on the date below to register for the training:

• February 24, 2021(Wednesday)
• April 7, 2021 (Wednesday)
• May 15, 2021(Saturday)
• July 21, 2021 (Wednesday)
• August 14, 2021(Wednesday)
• September 22, 2021 (Wednesday)
• October 16, 2021(Saturday)
• November 3, 2021 (Wednesday)

Safe Gatherings certification is also required for those working in the schools or entering people's homes for furnishings pickups. If you are not already Safe Gatherings certified (certification lasts four years) you can begin that process here.

The need for affordable housing is immense, and the lasting impact homeownership can have on families and individuals is undeniable. We are excited to be partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City to build new affordable homes. The homes are not free – each family who partners with Habitat is making a personal and financial investment in their future.

Upcoming Opportunities:

Habitat for Humanity
There are more than 13,000 families in Kansas City struggling to find affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City partners with families to provide strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build or rehab and purchase their own decent home with an affordable zero-interest mortgage. Help be part of the solution by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Accessibility remodel
The Resurrection Housing and Construction Ministry has an opportunity to help a local family adapt their home to accommodate the needs of Gabe, an eight year old boy with Cerebral Palsy. We are helping to build an addition onto their home with handicap accommodations for a new bedroom and bathroom. There is a need for skilled and unskilled volunteers to help with all aspects of the framing and finishing for this project. Immediate need is for a framing contractor or a framing crew leader to guide a volunteer team in early July 2020. For more detailed information or to get connected please contact Bob at resurrectionhabitat@yahoo.com

The Hunger Stopper Ministry delivers approximately 70 tons of food each year, through donations from within the church and special food drives held in the community. Donations are delivered monthly to local pantries and urban ministries to help feed those in Kansas City area who are hungry or food insecure.

Monetary Donations

Donations in any amount will be used to purchase needed food in bulk or supplemental funding for our pantries to purchase proteins, produce and other items.

How much should I donate? Here is a general guideline of how far your money can go to feeding an average family of 4 when we purchase in bulk:

• $28 feeds them for a week
• $120 feeds them for a month
• $1,460 feeds them for a year

Donate online here.

Or Donate by Check: Please mark the donation for "Hunger Stoppers" and mail to the church. Mailing address: 13720 Roe Ave. Leawood, KS 66224

Donate Non-Perishables: Please no glass containers or expired products. Desirable donations include:

• Cereal
• Canned meats (chicken, tuna, Vienna sausages)
• Chunky stews/soups
• Peanut butter & Jelly
• Canned/boxed meals/Macaroni & Cheese
• Shelf stable milk products
• Pancake mix (add water only) & Syrup
• Canned fruits and vegetables.

Receive our Newsletter

Stay informed about upcoming events and information by signing up to receive the Hunger Stopper Newsletter. Sign up to receive Hunger Stopper Newsletter today! (Select "Resurrection Leawood" and then scroll down to Leawood Connect and Serve Newsletters and select "Hunger Stopper Food Donations")

Become a Volunteer
We'd love to have you join our team of volunteers to help this ministry happen! Please see our Hunger Volunteer Ministry page for more information.

PANTRIES WE SERVE:

JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI

• Kansas City, MO - A Turning Point, Camino Verdad & Vida, East High School, Grace United Community Ministries, Hope Faith Ministries, Linwood United Church, Phoenix Family Housing, St Louis Catholic Church, and UpLift
• Grandview - New Life in Christ International Ministries, and St James UMC, Renaissance Campus

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS

• Kansas City, KS - Avenue of Life, Avenue of Life Youth House, Central UM Church, Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Metropolitan-The HUB, and Our Saviour Lutheran

JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS

• Olathe - New Hope Food Pantry
• Mission - North East Multi-Service Center
• Overland Park - Rez OP, and Santa Fe Waystation
• Spring Hill - Spring Hill Food Pantry
• Stilwell - Stilwell Baptist Caring Ministry

The Church of the Resurrection Computer Ministry, "Geeks 4 God," provides refurbished computer systems to individuals, area churches, schools, Resurrection missions and other community organizations. The Geeks4God team refurbished over 500 donated computers in 2018 to support individuals and organizations in need.

The Computer Ministry workshop is located in the Resurrection Mission Center at 15455 Metcalf Ave., Suite D, Overland Park. Click here for driving directions to the Resurrection Mission Center.

Donations Needed:

• Laptops or desktop computers with at least an Intel Core2 or AMD K2 processors (No white computers)
• LCD/LED flat-screen monitors (No CRT monitors)
• Desktop computer speakers
• PLEASE NO PRINTERS OR FAX MACHINES

To make a donation appointment, please contact contact us at 913-232-4131 or RCM@cor.org.

Request a Computer:

Refurbished computers are provided to those who are truly in need and otherwise could not afford one.

Please note that our software licensing agreement requires that requests for computers must be submitted by a church or non-profit entity. We cannot honor requests from individuals acting on their own initiative or on behalf of another.

Members and regular attendees: Please schedule a time to meet with your congregational care pastor who will submit a request on your behalf. All others should complete and submit this form for consideration. Please note that we are unable to ship computers outside of the greater Kansas City area or overseas.

Volunteer:

Geeks 4 God meet on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm. Individuals interested in becoming involved should contact us at 913-232-4131 or RCM@cor.org and we will make arrangements to meet with you and show you the work area.

Partner Schools Ministry

We build relationships, share knowledge and serve children and families in need. By showing Christ’s love to the most vulnerable through educational opportunities, we believe we can break the cycle of poverty in Kansas City. Share your unique gifts by empowering people in Kansas City to stop the cycle of poverty and helping those in need to become self-sufficient! You can do this by:

• Helping at upcoming Partner School Events.
• Serving during regular school hours in Resurrection partner schools as a tutor or classroom buddy.
• Tutoring children after school at Grace United.
• Sharing your love of reading and distribute books to students and join the bookmobile team.
• Becoming a liaison or an assistant to a liaison at one of our partner schools.

There are opportunities for everyone - families, small groups, adults and youth 12 and older. Be a part of giving a hand up to these deserving children and adults!

Volunteer shifts available almost every day of the week.

Please sign up in advance as we are adhering to social distancing guidelines to help prevent the spread of germs and are limited to fewer than 10 people volunteering at one time. Want to donate food? Drop off donations between 1-3pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

As the only agency in Kansas City that provides private apartments and supportive services to mothers in recovery and their children, Amethyst Place empowers families by helping them build healthy relationships, secure permanent housing, improve their educational outcomes, and gain economic stability.

Amethyst Place is in need of spaghetti sauce, snacks and activities for kids, and basic cleaning items. Donate items from their Amazon wishlist.

Avenue of Life's mission is to mobilize our community to equip and empower low-income individuals and families to be self-sustained and independent.

Avenue of Life will be distributing essentials kits to families. Donations are needed of non-perishable pantry staples, items for sack lunches, toiletries and cleaning supplies for homes, masks, gloves and disinfecting wipes.

An anonymous donor has stepped up with a COVID-19 Match Challenge, pledging to match all donations up to $50,000. Please consider doubling the impact of your generosity by partnering with Avenue of Life in reaching homeless families, children, and youth in the urban core of Kansas City.

Cross-Lines was established in 1963 as “a place of hope” for those struggling with the hardships of poverty. They provide direct assistance to at-risk families, the elderly, and single individuals struggling to make ends meet.

Cross-Lines has temporarily stopped serving hot meals cafeteria style, and has started distributing sack meals for breakfasts and lunches. Funding is needed to purchase items for distribution. Donate to Cross-Lines.

Flourish Furnishings collects, prepares and distributes donated furnishings and home essentials to offer a “hand up” by meeting the household furnishings needs in Kansas City’s urban and suburban communities.

As they prepare to re-open their warehouse, donations of household goods and furnishings are needed. Visit their website to learn more about donating gently used goods, view their Amazon wishlist, or give online.

Click here to learn more.

Safety-net programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (women infants children) do not cover diapers. This is a huge expense for low-income families costing an estimated $80-100 per month. 1 in 3 American families struggle to provide enough diapers to keep their babies happy, healthy and dry.

Happy Bottoms has put a hold on accepting diaper donations from the public, but can turn your donations into diapers for families in need.

Donate to Happy Bottoms

Harvesters Community Food Network remains committed to working with their network of more than 760 agencies to provide food to those in need.

Harvesters is encouraging the community to help by donating money. For every dollar donated you help them ensure they have the food and resources on hand to meet any additional demand. It also helps Harvesters provide means to get the food out more effectively and efficiently.

Volunteers are also needed to process and sort donations. You must be 18+ and in good health.

Heart to Heart International strengthens communities through improving health access, providing humanitarian development and administering crisis relief worldwide.

Across the U.S., Heart to Heart International is distributing hygiene kits for those in quarantine or unable to leave their homes. Good hygiene is critical in this time of the COVID-19 global pandemic, especially in vulnerable communities.

They have already distributed thousands of kits to local shelters, healthcare facilities, school districts, faith-based programs, food pantries, public safety organizations, and more. But, more kits are needed.

You can sponsor one kit for $10 and it will provide hygiene supplies (including soap, toothpaste, shampoo, handwashing guidelines, and more) that will be delivered to a person in need.

Hope Faith is asking for assistance in sourcing bulk meal supplies to be given out in paper sack care packages.

If you are able to do so safely, please bring the following to Hope Faith or VCP to provide for Kansas City’s homeless population. You can also make a monetary donation online.

Hope Faith: 705 Virginia Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106
VCP: 8900 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131

Food Items
Fruit cups, pudding, flour tortillas, sliced bread, biscuits, deli meat, sliced cheeses, buns, applesauce, fruit snacks, granola bars, breakfast bars, honey buns, wrapped muffins, smoothies, yogurt, english muffins, individually packaged cereals, peanut butter, jelly, individually packaged chips, cheese sticks, bottled water, juice boxes, and individual milk cartons.

Sanitation & General Items
Spoons/sporks, Nitrile gloves (especially L-XL), disposable gloves, N95 disposable face, masks, disinfectant spray, commercial building/kitchen disinfectant, hand sanitizer (all sizes), sanitizing wipes, bleach, paper towels, trash bags, disposable rags, tissue paper, facial tissue, vitamins, vitamin C, sandwich bags, disposable plates, disposable cups, disposable napkins, brown paper sacks, and plastic sacks.

KVC Health Systems is a national leader in behavioral healthcare, child welfare, and community health and wellness.

KVC clinical teams and essential frontline staff are working around the clock to care for the safety and mental health of our clients in their homes, in foster homes, and inside their children’s hospitals and residential treatment centers. Your donation helps fund their COVID-19 response.

Metro Lutheran Ministry connects those in need in the Kansas City area with food, housing, health care, education, employment services and other resources.

If you want to stay in but still want to help you could make sack lunches or breakfasts and MLM will pick them up! For more information, please contact Rebecka at rebeckanoel@mlmkc.org.

If you want to donate the food needed for sack breakfasts, order from their Amazon wishlist.

reStart provides housing and supportive services to help homeless men, women, youth and families move toward independence and self-sufficiency with the goal of ending homelessness in our community.

At this time, they are in need of sack lunches to distribute their clients. A few ideas for what to include: peanut butter sandwiches; protein options like tuna or chicken salad kits, vienna sausages or beef jerky; individually packaged chips, fruit cups, granola bars and other snacks.

Once your bags are complete, please coordinate with Ann Klockau(aklockau@restartinc.org) to arrange a time to deliver them to reStart.

Shelter KC is in desperate need of hygiene items (soap, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste) and surgical masks to protect employees and guests. Store-bought masks are preferable, but they will take homemade too. Contact Shelter KC to arrange a time to drop off donations: 816-421-7643

Donating funds online will go to work immediately to care for homeless men and women in Kansas City. Donate now.

Synergy Services, Inc. began in 1970 as Synergy House, the only shelter for runaway and homeless youth in western Missouri. Through the years the organization’s reach to include young children and women victimized by abuse.

The Domestic Violence Center, Children's Center and Synergy House remain open and staff continues to provide 24 hour care and housing to children and teens in our community through this crisis.

Donate to their COVID-19 Resource Fund or check out their list of in-kind needs here (you can order through Amazon or Walmart).

Proceeds the Adelante Thrift Store support the operations of Mission Adelante, a multicultural ministry community with Bhutanese refugees and Latino immigrants emphasizing individual transformation and community development.

Volunteers are needed to work behind the scenes, assisting with sorting donations, hanging clothing, and cleaning/pricing items. All volunteers will be required to wear face masks the entire time they are in the store and keep a 6' distance from fellow volunteers, staff and customers.

Learn more or sign up to volunteer here.

Questions? Please contact Adelante Thrift's volunteer coordinator, Jessica at jessicab@adelantethrift.com.

Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) works with children who have been placed in foster care due to parental abuse or neglect. Each child or sibling group is matched with a CASA volunteer who will help them navigate their time in foster care. Our CASA Volunteers visits the child or children monthly and advocate for their educational, medical, and therapeutic needs. CASA staff and Volunteers work together to ensure that each child served will have a safe and permanent home.

Each month, 30 to 40 children who have experienced abuse and neglect are referred to CASA. That is why we offer CASA Volunteer training every month, now via Zoom. In a series of 5 classes, you will learn how you can best advocate for a child who is in the Family Court system due to abuse and neglect. Contact Lisa Martin, LMartin@jacksoncountycasa-mo.org to schedule an information session to see if you are ready to become a CASA Volunteer.

Catholic Charities continues to provide hope and hospitality in a time of uncertainty. They are seeking ongoing volunteers to support their Family Support Centers, TurnStyles Thrift stores and food distribution programs in their 21 county, NE Kansas area.

Volunteers are needed Monday-Friday typically serving a 3-4 hour shift, with some weekend opportunities available as well. All current volunteer opportunities are posted in greater detail on their website.

For anyone seeking additional information, please contact Cari in the Volunteer Department at 913.433.2104 or colberding@catholiccharitiesks.org.

Harvesters Mobile Food Pantry is holding distribution events at the Don Bosco Center (580 Campbell) in downtown KC, from 1-4pm on 2nd Fridays.

This is a walk through Mobile Food Distribution. Volunteers will be needed to help distribute and organize the food on the pallets, sign people in, and clean up at the end.

It will be outside, so please dress for the weather with close-toed shoes and bring a mask. Lifting may be required for certain volunteer positions.

Sign up to help unload, sort, and hand out food while people drive through for the distribution.

Flourish Furnishings collects, prepares and distributes donated furnishings and home essentials to offer a “hand up” by meeting the household furnishings needs in Kansas City’s urban and suburban communities.

As they prepare to re-open their warehouse, volunteers are needed to load/unload trucks, sort through donated goods, restock shelves for client shopping and working with clients.

Click here to learn more.

The Global FC Education Program serves English language learners from all over the world, most of whom arrived in Kansas City on refugee status.

The Global FC team is continuing to foster academic growth and community, fighting the isolation and boredom students are facing right now. The connection and support provided through online engagement is vital during this time where everything is new.

Check out what online engagement looks like for Global FC and email Celeste at celeste@branch-global.com to become a tutor!

Proceeds from Hillcrest Thrift Stores support the operations of the Hillcrest Transitional Housing program, offering homeless families, singles and youth housing and a disciplined educational program within a caring, supportive environment.

As the thrift stores in Lenexa and Lee's Summit reopen, volunteers are needed in the following areas -

• Volunteer Cashier
• Volunteer Donation Attendant
• Volunteer Clothing Processor

Learn more about how to volunteer.

Lead to Read KC Reading Mentors read with and mentor students one-to-one each week for 30 minutes. The whole-class reading sessions take place during the school day in elementary classrooms in high-need elementary schools. During COVID-19 restrictions, reading sessions will take place virtually. Volunteers will need a computer with audio/visual capabilities and Internet access. Most volunteers donate one lunch hour a week during the school year.

Lead to Read KC’s mission is to support the social, emotional, and reading skills that are foundational for student success by mobilizing community volunteers to read with students in elementary schools. Apply today!

Metro Lutheran Ministry connects those in need in the Kansas City area with food, housing, health care, education, employment services and other resources.

Metro Lutheran is looking for 3-5 volunteers from 8:15am-11:30am on Tuesday-Friday. Volunteers will be pre-packing food boxes for the next day (no direct contact with clients).

They also need 3-5 volunteers from 1:00pm - 3:00pm on Fridays to help package sack breakfasts.

Please contact Rebecka at rebeckanoel@mlmkc.org for more information or to volunteer.

United Way of Greater Kansas City works to provide the farthest-reaching network of support for those in need in our community. UWGKC has identified volunteer opportunities all throughout the metro area, that will help those who are impacted by this public health crisis. This list will be continuously updated, so check back.