A helping hand for the holidays

With the holiday season looming around the corner, the Johnson County Christmas Bureau is seeking donations.

Boxed food and gently used coats, in all sizes, are the two main items the nonprofit organization needs for its annual holiday shop, which serves low-income families in early December.

The holiday shop runs by appointment only. Shoppers are provided everything from food to clothing to presents for children.

Last year, the shop, which was held at the Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe, served nearly 14,000 people. This year, the shop will be held at the former Metcalf South Shopping Center in Overland Park.

The organization is also seeking volunteers.

“There’s nothing you could do that would be more heartwarming,” said Larry Bigus, executive director of the bureau. “This is about ordinary people helping ordinary people. It is truly a grassroots movement.”

Volunteer hours and donations are the glue that hold the shop together, he said.

The shop is a year-round effort, with volunteers purchasing discounted toys and clothes as early as January. Volunteers sort and organize the inventory, schedule appointments and even sew items such as winter scarves.

In the holiday season, more than 3,000 volunteers stop by to help out with the shop.

As each year passes, the need for the shop grows stronger.

In 2014, nearly one in 15 people, or 37,000 Johnson county residents, lived below the federal poverty line, according to the United Community Services of Johnson County.

“There is tremendous poverty in Johnson County,” Bigus said. “It’s growing incredibly fast. Many of our shoppers are working at minimum wage jobs, so they aren’t earning enough to take care of a family of four.”

Volunteer Andrea Babb of Overland Park became acquainted with the bureau nearly 25 years ago.

In 1991, the Johnson County native moved back to the area from Los Angeles after a divorce.

A single mother with an 18-month-old, she sought resources to help her out. A local food pantry pointed her in the direction of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau.

“It’s heartbreaking when it’s around Christmastime and you can’t afford gifts for your kids,” she said. “You just never expect to be in that situation. Anyone could be just one divorce or one medical issue away from needing this service.”

Once her life turned around, Babb became a volunteer. She’s been helping out in the holiday shop for two decades.

In addition to volunteering, the organization has many other ways you can contribute.

The bureau is partnering with the Holiday Boutique to present the Festival of Trees from Nov. 19-22 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

Decorated holiday trees, wreaths and centerpieces will be available for a silent auction at the event. Proceeds, along with a portion of the ticket sales, are going to the holiday shop.

The bureau’s annual Hope benefit will also be held Dec. 4 at the Metcalf South Shopping Center.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "A helping hand for the holidays."