How We Handle Appointments, Walk-ins, Late Arrivals, and No-Shows

At the FUUD Pantry in Lenexa, we offer a shopping-style experience for our clients. In order to manage stock, we require appointments.

When Can I Book My Appointment?

Appointment slots are available one week in advance, starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, on our scheduling platform. Since in the past we have had many no-shows, so now use weekly bookings to better serve everyone!

The appointments fill up fast, so you may want to set an alarm or reminder on your phone!

What time should I show up for my appointment?

Please arrive on time, but no more than 10 minutes prior to your appointment. If you cannot make your appointment, please cancel. You can cancel using the link in the confirmation you received when you signed up. Or call us!

What happens if I need food but don’t have an appointment?

If you arrive without an appointment, you may take a pre-packed bag/s of food.

What happens if I am Late for my Appointment?

If you have an appointment and are more than 15 minutes late, you will be considered a no-show. You may take a pre-packed bag of food.

What should I do if I need to cancel?

If you know you can’t make your appointment, please try to cancel before noon on Tuesday. Use the link you received via Text or Email to cancel. This allows another shopper to get an appointment and is greatly appreciated.

If you have questions about these changes, please talk to the manager on duty the next time you visit the pantry. Thanks so much!

Download the Reverse Advent Calendar 2023!

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!


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.

Accepting Children’s Picture Books

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

Food Pantry Donations Needed

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.

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!

New, Extended Pantry Hours begin Nov. 2

Starting November 2, 2021, the SMUUCh FUUD Pantry will add an hour.

SMUUCH Food Pantry Hours
Every Tuesday
2 p.m. to 6 p.m
(starting Nov. 2)

An additional hour of service time has become necessary due to an increasing demand for the pantry offerings.

Clients are able enter the pantry at 9400 Pflumm in Lenexa and “shop” the pantry shelves and refrigerators during the weekly hours every Tuesday. The pantry is staffed by volunteers and stocked by donations from Harvesters and other generous donors.

Items usually available each week include:
  • Bread
  • Milk
  • Meat
  • Produce
  • Eggs
  • Shelf Stable Foods (Pasta, canned goods, sauces, and more)
  • Some toiletries and paper goods

Due to continue COVID concerns, all patrons are required to wear a masks covering their mouth and nose.

NOTE: Appointments are now recommended to secure a walk-thru timeslot. No paperwork is required. ALL are welcome regardless of status.

Book an appointment with SMUUCH FUUD Pantry using Setmore

No patrons will be turned away. If you are unable to make an appointment or get a timeslot, pre-bagged groceries are made available for you.

Please don’t go hungry.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us.

If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.

Walk-Thru Food Pantry Set to Reopen

The SMUUCh FUUD Pantry will reopen for walk-thru, “shopping-style” service starting Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

Clients will be able to enter the building and shop the pantry shelves and refrigerators the weekly hours: Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Items that are usually available every week include:
  • Bread
  • Milk
  • Meat
  • Produce
  • Eggs
  • Shelf Stable Foods (Pasta, canned goods, sauces and more)

Patrons will be required to continue to wear masks over their mouth and noses.

The online registration form will be required for a walk-thru time slot.

Book an appointment with SMUUCH FUUD Pantry using Setmore
No patrons will be turned away. If you are unable to get a time-slot, pre-bagged groceries will be made available for you. Please don’t go hungry.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us.

If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.

What’s inside the pre-packaged bags?

If you are not able to walk into the pantry, we will offer pre-packaged grocery bags filled by the food pantry volunteers with a variety of staples for you for the week.

The Shawnee Mission Unitarian Church FUUD Pantry carries a variety of shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains.

As availability allows, we may be able to offer fresh vegetables and fruits. Depending on the season some will come from Harvesters and some will come our own Hope’s Harvest community garden!

Have questions? Feel free to contact us!