Category: Donate

Use the Reverse Advent Calendar to Shop for the Food Pantry this holiday Season!
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Download the Reverse Advent Calendar 2023!

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We’ve updated the holly jolly for your 2023 holiday season!

‘Tis the season for holiday sharing and caring — but mostly for seasonal fun!

Since we know how much you love feeling JOLLY during the holiday season, the FUUD Pantry at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church is offering the perfect win-win activity: The Reverse Advent Calendar!

How the Reverse Advent Calendar Works

reverse advent calendar kansas City 2023

It’s simple.

  1. Download the pdf of the calendar and print it out.
  2. Shop, collect, or make a scavenger hunt of the items on the list
  3. Ho-ho-haul the items to the FUUD Pantry (see hours below)

That’s it!

Download the Reverse Advent Calendar

Reverse Advent Calendar FAQs

Do I receive bonus points if I sing holiday cheer loudly for all to hear?
OF COURSE!

Am I a complete failure if I don’t complete the list?
Heck no! In fact, any amount you collect and deliver to the FUUD Pantry automagically puts you on the NICE LIST!

I have a lot of rusted, dented, and expired foods in my cupboard, plus open stale cereal. Will that do?
Uhhh no. Please throw that out. We are not allowed to accept expired or opened products.

Can I share this list with others?
Yes, PLEASE! Some people even create Facebook events of their own or share the list with their church! Feel free to share our Reverse “Advent” Calendar to anyone or any group who wishes to participate. The FUUD Pantry is always in need of shelf stable food.

What hours can I drop off the food?
Our hours for drop-off are Tuesdays 1:30-5:30 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to Noon. Or you can call or text for an appointment. A friendly elf will assist you: 913-228-2993

By the way, what is “Advent”?
For those not familiar with Advent, it’s a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus. Most Christian religions celebrate the four weeks/four Sundays before Christmas as a time of spiritual preparation.

secular Advent Calendar

There are many kinds of secular and non-secular Advent calendars out there.

For those who don’t celebrate Advent: with the arrival of winter’s low dark sky, communities around the world look to the miracle of light as a sign of rebirth and a source of hope.

We can celebrate the promise of new life and recommit ourselves to the protection of everyone’s right to his or her own radiant humanity.

books in black wooden book shelf
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Accepting Children’s Picture Books

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Did you know we offer free books to kids who come through our shelter every week?

Donate childrens books Lenexa Kansas City food pantry
We need more picture books please!

And they sure do take them! The shelf is starting to get bare!

It’s time for another book collection. Our awesome volunteer Jamie helps us organize collection.

What:  Collecting gently used Children’s Books for distribution at the FUUD Pantry

When:  Now Through End of Summer

Here are Jamie’s official guidelines for getting more books for our shelves.

Ways to help with our book drive:

  1. Donate gently used picture books!
  2. Donate used books of any type – we can trade them in for picture books!
  3. Hold your very own book drive – just ask family, friends, your neighbors, scout troops etc. if they’d like to donate books!

Donated books can be:

  • dropped off in the FUUD Pantry donation bin at church on Sundays/Wednesdays.
  • brought to the panty on Tuesdays from 2-6 p.m.
  • left on our front porch if you live nearby (Lenexa). I’ll come get them or you can leave them on my front porch.  To arrange this option, please email me. 

Prefer to make a monetary donation? 

Make checks out to SMUUCh with “FUUD Pantry Books” in the memo line. 

Checks can be mailed to:

SMUUCh FUUD PANTRY
c/o Shawnee Mission UU Church
9400 Pflumm Ave
Lenexa, Kansas 66215

Cheerios are Gluten Free
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Food Pantry Donations Needed

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NEEDS: Boxed Cereal (and More)

Also needed: Non-food items such as cleaning and household supplies, over-the-counter medicines, and personal care items.

NOTE: All donations should be unopened and non-expired.

Lucky Charms are Gluten Free
Lucky Charms are Gluten Free
Rice Chex are Gluten Free
Rice Chex are Gluten Free
Cheerios are Gluten Free
Cheerios are Gluten Free

The FUUD Pantry has an ongoing need for donations of shelf-stable food.

To help clients maintain a healthy diet and manage chronic health conditions, donations of low sodium and low sugar products are especially needed.

How to Drop off Your Donation

They can be placed in the donation tubs across from the church office… or contact the pantry at 913-228-2993 to make other arrangements.

Thanks for helping provide a variety of healthful and useful items to the pantry!