Join us for a weekend of service, reflection, and advocacy as we celebrate the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Help Pack Meals at Resurrection West - FULL

Monday, January 18 - Resurrection West Campus

This event is full.

Help pack over 45,000 meals to help those who are in need around the world. From 9 am to 5:30 pm, there will be 6 shifts of around 40 people each. We will follow all COVID safety protocols including required sign-ups, wearing masks at all times, social distancing, and no food or drink in the building. All ages are welcome, but children must stay properly socially distanced and with their families at all times. Children over the age of 2 must wear masks.

For questions, contact chris.holliday@cor.org. For more information, visit events.riseagainsthunger.org/MLKMealPack.

In-Person Serving Opportunities with Kansas City Partners

COVID-cautious opportunities are available at a variety of locations throughout the KC area. Morning and afternoon shifts are available on Saturday or Monday. Sign-ups are limited in order to keep the group size small. At this time we are requiring volunteers to wear masks, to follow social distancing guidelines, and to be responsible for themselves. Registration is now closed.

DIY At-Home Serving Opportunities

The Resurrection Overland Park Food pantry has several projects you can do at home!

• Dental Kits for Kids & Adults: Purchase toothpaste, packaged toothbrushes and floss for kids or adults and place one of each in a ziploc bag.
• Toiletry Kit: Purchase or donate your unused travel-sized toiletries. Assemble kits with shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion in a ziploc bag.
• Notes of Encouragement: Write short notes of encouragement that can be included with food pantry bags. Kids can join in on the fun and draw positive and encouraging pictures
• Diapers & Wipes Kits: Purchase packages of diapers and wipes. Place 20 diapers and a package of wipes in a large bag and label with the size.
• Bagged Cat Food: Purchase a large bag of cat food (any kind) and re-bag into gallon-sized ziploc bags. Label "Cat" on the bag with a permanent marker.
• Donate boxes and grocery sacks: The RezOP Food Pantry is always in need of small boxes (approx. 8x10") and paper grocery sacks

Project drop off times and location:
Resurrection Overland Park - 8412 W 95th St, Overland Park, KS 66212.
Saturday, January 16th - 9am-4pm
Monday, January 18th - 12pm-4pm

Share the love with seniors at Don Bosco Senior Center!

The Don Bosco Senior Center is the largest, most comprehensive provider of senior services in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

• Valentine's Cards: This is a great project for kids! Make handmade greeting cards that say "Happy Valentines Day" or “Happy Spring” They also appreciate bi-lingual cards for their Spanish and Vietnamese speaking clients.
• Valentine's Goody Bags: Assemble a goody bag with a card, candy (regular or sugar-free) and include a fun activity like a large print word search book, magazine, adult coloring books with markers or yarn (for the seniors who knit and crochet).

Project drop off times and location:
Don Bosco Senior Center (leave at the front door) - 580 Campbell Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Mon-Fri (not open on MLK day, January 18th)
Contact Senior Center Director Anne Miller at amiller@donbosco.org for more information.

Spread Joy to University of Kansas Health System staff!

As the pandemic continues to impact our area, send some well-wishes and encouragement to The University of Kansas Health System's hardworking, dedicated caregivers, units or teams. Here’s how:

Write a simple note or get crafty and make a card (have your kids help!), or you can compose a heartfelt email. You can specify that you want your message to go to a specific or general type of department or unit, or just say it’s for anyone who needs a word of encouragement!

Send emails to SpreadJoy@kumc.edu or send cards and letters to:

Spread Joy
c/o Patient Relations
4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021
Kansas City, KS 66160

Pack Sack Lunches for Metro Lutheran Ministries

MLM distributes over 750 sack lunches a MONTH to folks who need some nutrition to get them through the day. That is over 10,000 a year! Volunteers purchase the non-perishable items, pack them, and include an encouraging note, then coordinate a drop-off with MLM. Learn more about Metro Lutheran's sack lunch program and how to participate on their website.

Outside the Kansas City Area?

You can still serve locally! Contact a local organization that works with underserved or vulnerable populations and see how you can help from home. Some ideas include:

• Sending encouraging notes or treats to local care home or hospital workers
• Sort through your house and gently used household goods to a rehousing agency, shelter or other organization
• Pick up litter in a local park or along a walking trail
• Assemble hygiene kits for a local homeless shelter
• Help an elderly neighbor with yard work or other light maintenence projects

Racial Justice Educational Opportunities

If you aren't able to dedicate a day to serving others, we encourage you to spend the day learning more about racial justice.

• Allies for Racial Justice Resources: Article, video and book suggestions that help us better understand our differences, appreciate our similarities and establish Christ-centered solutions to end racial and social injustices.

• Talking About Race: This resource from the National Museum of African American History & Culture provides tools and guidance for personal reflection and transformation. Topics include: The Historical Foundations of Race, Being Antiracist and Community Building.

• Talking About Race with Young Children: NPR Life Kit and Sesame Workshop podcast includes a conversation with psychologist and educator Beverly Daniel Tatum, and the website has several resources for parents.

• Early Childhood Education Joyful Activity Booklets: On January 18th, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will release two booklets in their upcoming Joyful ABC series - "A Is for Amazing" and "B Is for Brave." Each month, children, caregivers, and educators can explore new booklets together!

• Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry: This article from the Southern Poverty Law Center helps answer the question "What can I say in response to that?" when confronted with everyday bigotry and biases.

• Watch "Selma”: This 2014 Oscar-winning film by Ava DuVernay’s chronicles King’s 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to protest voter discrimination. Available on FX with a cable subscription to rent/buy on Amazon or Google Play.

Online MLK Celebration, Education & Worship Opportunities

• 2021 Greater Kansas City Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Service
  Watch a replay of Tuesday's live stream on the SCLC Greater Kansas City Chapter Facebook page. Sponsored by Jewish Community Relations Bureau | AJC and Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

• The Methodist Ministers' Fellowship of Kansas City - Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  Sunday, January 17 at 5pm
  The theme for this year's celebration is "In Pursuit of Equality, Justice, Peace and Unity in Turbulent Times" with featured speaker Rev. Seth M. Moulton, Presiding Elder of the AMEZ Church, KCMO Region. Hosted by Jamison Memorial Temple Church. Watch live on JMTC's Facebook page.

• 2021 SCLC Greater KC Dr. King Celebration
  Monday, January 18 at 5:30pm
  Join the 2021 Dr. King, Jr. celebration via Zoom. Featuring music, inspiration and a panel discussion with leaders of the US House of Representatives. Register here to watch the webinar OR register to join Pastor Cheryl Jefferson Bell for a Zoom watch party.

• Conversations about Racism and the UMC: "I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist." Book Discussion
  Tuesday, January 19 at 2pm
  Join the I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. writers and editor Rudy Rasmus in a robust discussion moderated by GCORR Interim General Secretary Garlinda Burton. In the book, ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling, personal accounts. Learn more and register here.

Other Justice Education & Advocacy Opportunities

• Cultural Competency Training: Empowering and educational, this online training will provide each participant with a heightened awareness about our neighbors and cross-cultural interactions
• EarthCOR: Learn more about what you can do to love God and creation
• Resurrection's Close the Opportunity Gap PreK Initiative: Learn about advocacy opportunities for children in Kansas and Missouri
• Take an Implict Bias Test: The Implicit Association Test (IAT) from Harvard University measures attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. This is a helpful tool for identifying how we stereotype others and other blindspots we may have.
  
• UMC Church & Society: Learn how to faithfully advocate for a more peaceful and more just world. Topics include poverty, climate change, health, peace and civil & human rights.
• UMC Social Principles: Learn more about the UMC Social Principles, a "prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation."

Rush to SACK HUNGER in Kansas City!

Get into the game by donating food or funds. It's 4th and goal and we're going for it!

Easy ways to make a donation:

• Visit cor.org/giveonline (starting January 23)
• Text COR to 77977
• Mail a check with “Hunger” in the memo line

Donate food items:

• Mac'n'Cheese
• Cereal
• Canned Meat
• Canned Fruit & Vegetables
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Pancake Mix (Add water only) and Syrup
• Chunky Soup
• Boxed Dinners

Please no expired, dented or glass donations.

Food Donation Drop-Off Dates:

• Leawood (Building A circle drive):
  January 30 | 9-11 AM
  February 6 | 9-11 AM
  
• Blue Springs, Downtown, Overland Park, West
  February 6 | 9-11 AM

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. 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:

• January 16, 2021 (Saturday)
• February 17, 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.

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).

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.

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.