Christmas Bureau in jeopardy due to lack of volunteers

The Jackson County Ministerial Alliance Christmas Bureau, which served 762 needy individuals last December, is without leadership and may not be held this year, it has been reported.

For the past several years, Evangel United Methodist Church’s serving team has coordinated the Christmas Bureau, which provides free Christmas gifts, essential items, food and pharmacy gift cards to families, seniors and disabled residents.

In December, organizers announced they were stepping away from their leadership role and seeking one or two people to spearhead the event in 2015. Since then, no one has agreed to lead the event, according to Kay Smith, one of the previous organizers.

“Basically, someone with strong leadership skills is needed,” Smith said. “They also need experience organizing and planning large events. There are people in place to help, but there’s no top leader.”

It was previously reported that Evangel United Methodist Church is still available to host the event at its Family Life Center.

In 2014, the Christmas Bureau served 206 families that included 402 children. In addition, 70 seniors and disabled residents were served.

The Christmas “store” is stocked with toys and essential items donated by members of the community, as well as purchased through financial donations by individuals and businesses.

Last year, the Christmas Bureau received a $5,000 donation through United Way of Greater Topeka and additional donations from Wal-Mart and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

So far, $2,000 in funding has been donated by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation for this year’s potential store, it was reported.  

Tonya Barta, who serves on the United Way of Greater Topeka board of directors, said that funds are expected to be approved and allocated again for this year’s Christmas Bureau.

Fore more than 20 years, the Christmas Bureau was organized by Northeastern Kansas Community Action Plan (NEK-CAP), which, at times, partnered with Toys for Tots to provide toys, food and household items to low-income families.

In 2009, NEK-CAP partnered with the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance to provide the event, and the following year, the JCMA and Evangel partnered to organize the store. In 2011, the event expanded and began offering essential items and pharmacy cards to seniors and disabled members of the community.

In previous years, applications needed to be filled out to qualify for the Christmas Bureau. Participants were required to attach a copy of a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) receipt (for children ages five and younger) and either a copy of a free and reduced form from school or verification of food stamp assistance (for school-aged children) with their applications.

Senior citizens and adults with disabilities also needed to provide proof of a limited income, such as a copy of an income tax statement, monthly bank statement, Envision card or proof of monthly income.

Anyone or any group or organization interested in volunteering as the head coordinator for the Christmas Bureau is encouraged to contact a local pastor or any member of the Jackson County Ministerial Alliance.