Holiday store gives hope, gifts to families

Parents who have fallen on hard times can still bring holiday cheer to their children.

From Dec. 14-18, a holiday store in Kansas City, Mo. will provide one new gift for each family member and a gift for the entire family.

“We’ve never had to turn anyone away,” Pam Meek, Community Assistance Council executive director, said. “This is their Christmas. This is what they need.”

Each year Meek helps organize the council’s annual Holiday Store, 10901 Blue Ridge Blvd., available to families who cannot afford to purchase Christmas gifts. The council, a social agency in the Hickman-Mills area of Kansas City, Mo., served more than 190 families at their Holiday Store last year. Meek said this year the need will be greater due to more middle-class families losing their jobs during the recession.

“Money has to go to rent, utilities and food on the table,” she said. “We try to make it a little happier and less stressful for them.”

Meek said more than 50 percent of the families requesting assistance this year are new and have never before asked for help. She said usually the council banks leftover gifts from year to year, but last year’s supply was depleted. 

“We are in desperate need of gifts,” Meek said. “Last year we cleaned ourselves out. This year we are starting from scratch.”

Items are sorted by gender and age. The council collects new gift items, unwrapped, from local churches, Batiste Education Center, American Legion, Corvette Club and individuals.

“They come through for us,” Meek said. “It’s awesome. It always works out.”

Founded in 1972, the council is the only social service agency in south Kansas City, Mo. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency through delivery of direct emergency assistance, education and advocacy. The council has two locations, including a food pantry at 700 W. 110th St. CAC assists homeless and nearly homeless, provides online job search, and works to prevent alcohol and drug abuse.

Meek said the council relies heavily on volunteer efforts from community members and former families who were served. More volunteers are needed for the holiday store.

“They are the bread and butter,” she said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Marge Stevens, Kansas City, Mo., has volunteered with the council for 14 years sorting clothes, organizing the food pantry and working at the Holiday Store, something she especially enjoys.

“I feel very grateful to help,” she said. “It puts you in the holiday mood. These people are so in need of help.”

To volunteer, donate or request assistance, contact Meek at 763-3277.

FAST FACTS

items needed for the Community Assistance Council Holiday Store are:

Infants, toddlers and preschool age – play house items, shape sorters, preschool games, picture books and soft toys.

Age 5 to 10 – balls, puzzles, books, building toys, dolls and accessories, games, cars and trucks.

Adults – billfolds, watches, games, jewelry, sweaters, books, CDs, and clothing for men and women all sizes.

Miscellaneous – gift cards; household items such as toasters, coffee makers, dishes, pots and pans; family games; stocking stuffers; puzzles; mittens, gloves and hats; socks; gift bags; and wrapping paper.

Volunteers are needed to guide shoppers through the store, stock shelves, fill food baskets and hand out goodie bags from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, through Friday, Dec. 18, and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17.

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