When poverty is a daily struggle, Christmas gifts are simply not an option for the children, families and older adults Catholic Charities serves.
In Kansas City and the surrounding Missouri counties, roughly 17% of individuals live in poverty. For children under 18, the poverty rates is even higher — nearly 25%. That’s 1 in 4 children living in poverty right here in our community!
For them, Christmas gifts just aren’t in the budget
Every year, Catholic Charities’ organizes the Christmas Shining Star project to collect gifts for children in our client families, and gives them, along with wrapping paper, to the parents. Parents then wrap the gifts and place them under the tree for a joyful Christmas morning!
You can help!
- “adopt” a child (or two!) and purchase gifts off of their wish list. We suggest 5-6 items, with a total spend of about $60.
- Bring those gifts to our office or arrange for us to pick them up.
- Purchase a frequently requested gift (like basketballs or art supplies) from Amazon, Walmart, or another retailer and have that item shipped directly to us
- Make a financial donation and our staff and volunteers will do the shopping.
When you donate gifts, necessities, or funds to Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph’s Christmas Shining Star, you make Christmas so much brighter for families in need.
In the news
Who is a Birthmother? Breaking stereotypes.
Birthmothers are our daughters, sisters, girlfriends, and neighbors. The adoption program at Catholic Charities is honored to work with women of all ages who come to us wanting a stable, loving and secure future for their babies when they are unable to provide it....
Rhonda Gives George New Hope
Throughout George’s time in the military, he wanted to be strong. Strong for himself, strong for his wife, strong for his family, and most of all (as they are the world to George), his two dogs: Zeus and Bella. When Rhonda Gonzalez, SSVF Housing Case Manager, first...
Living A Full Life In The Midst Of A Broken World – Mental Health Awareness Month 2022
Mental health can determine the course of our lives regardless of age or life circumstance. Lisa Wagner-Carollo, Deaf and Disability Ministry Coordinator at Catholic Charities Kansas City-Saint Joseph, feels strongly about mental health and how crucial it is for...
Our Mobile Food Pantry is Hitting the Road Near You
The excitement is hard to contain! Can you feel it? In tackling hunger, there are many noticeable factors: location, accessibility, and most importantly, the needs of the community. With food insecurity on the rise, understanding and meeting the needs of our community...
National Volunteer Week
Volunteering is the heartbeat of the mission here at Catholic Charities Kansas City-Saint Joseph. Whether through big annual events like Christmas Shining Star, our Outpace Poverty 5K and the Gala or smaller consistent events like our food distribution or clothing...
Marie Finds Freedom and Stability
Be A Star Thrower: I cannot believe I am this close to reaching my goal! It has been refreshing to watch myself learn and grow at Catholic Charities Kansas...