HumanKind Ministries is appealing to the community to help provide a coat for every child expected at their annual Operation Holiday. Each year, Operation Holiday—the region’s largest holiday assistance program—provides between 12,000 and 15,000 individuals with basic needs to get through the winter. In 2022 HumanKind served 8,000 children through the program and is expecting to serve more than 9,000 children this year.
“Applications for children needing winter coats are up this year,” says HumanKind President and CEO LaTasha St. Arnault. “We need the community to rally behind us, so we can help provide every kid with a winter coat–we are currently short 6,000 coats.”
With record numbers, HumanKind is appealing to the community for either coat or cash donations. St. Arnault continues. “It’s a tall order, but I know our community has the spirit and generosity to meet this challenge. If they can’t find coats locally, monetary donations are a very efficient alternative as they help us purchase them in bulk at discounted rates.”
Monetary gifts can be made online at HumanKindWichita.org/Donate, or by cash or check payable to HumanKind Ministries at 829 N. Market, Wichita KS 67214. Coats can also be purchased directly from HumanKind’s Operation Holiday Amazon Wishlist
Coat donations can be taken directly to the Operation Holiday warehouse, located in the former Central Library, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Saturday, 9a.m. -noon; to the HumanKind admin building at 829 N. Market, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. -Noon; or to any Operation Holiday collection site.
You can also bring coat donations to HumanKind and Dillons’ Day of Giving is this Saturday, December 9, at Dillons stores on Central and Rock and 21st and Maize, 9 am – 3 pm. There are also collection boxes at Dillons stores across the city until then. Monetary donations can be made at operationholiday.org where you can also find all information about the program.
About HumanKind Ministries
Since 1885, HumanKind Ministries has brought the Wichita community together to serve those living in poverty. Today that work includes providing shelter, affordable housing, basic needs, and supportive services to those who need it most. Each year, HK serves 1,200 – 1,500 unduplicated homeless men, women, and children in our emergency winter shelters and year-round homeless shelter (The Inn). Additionally, HumanKind offers 155 affordable and safe permanent supportive housing units to help low-income and formerly homeless individuals and families find stability and self-sufficiency. From April to October HK operates street outreach programs to provide basic care and build trust with the unsheltered homeless community. During the holidays, HK powers Operation Holiday—the region’s largest holiday assistance program. Each year, Operation Holiday provides food, blankets, and other basic needs to between 12,000 and 15,000 men, women, and children in Sedgwick County, helping them get through the year’s coldest (and most expensive) months. HumanKind depends on the kindness and generosity of its community, volunteers, and donors. For information about how to give or get involved, visit HumanKindWichita.org.
