Christmas: MLM Prepares for 2006 Christmas Stores
ne...@mlmkc.org
often it's a homemade gift or simply a kind word that makes the
difference at Metro Lutheran Ministry's Christmas Stores.
The MLM Stores expect to serve more than 1,500 households at two
locations Dec. 6-9. The stores will be at 719 E. 31st Street in Kansas
City, Mo., and at Avenue of Life, 31st and Minnesota, Kansas City, Ks.
Both volunteer opportunities and gifts are needed.
The Christmas Stores operate with designated "shoppers" from
low-income families who select from free gifts. Families choose one new
gift and one knit item per family member. Every family receives a warm
blanket, Bible and food or food vouchers to help provide a Christmas
dinner.
In a letter to MLM staff and volunteers, one past shopper expressed her
deep appreciation for a handmade quilt, slippers and other gifts that
helped her and her family. "But most of all, I am so thankful to the
wonderful lady that checked us all in, and the precious lady that
helped me shop and the gentleman that gave out the food vouchers and
blankets and he pointed out my wonderful quilt," she wrote. "You
were all so kind and didn't act as if anyone was below you because we
needed help."
MLM Christmas Store shoppers are pre-approved and shop by appointment
to ensure that income guidelines are observed and to avoid
duplications.
Generous businesses, church groups and congregations, as well as
concerned individuals throughout the region donate gifts. Volunteers
organize the stores, stock and staff all operations.
The need for gifts increases every year. Shoppers appreciate a variety
of gifts for all ages, with the average value from $10-15. Toys for
Tots provides hundreds of toys for children less than 13, so gifts are
especially needed for teens, adult men and women.
Cash donations are used to purchase food vouchers and supplement gift
shortages.
Each year, the Christmas Stores benefits from hundreds of volunteers.
Bi-lingual volunteers are especially need at the Kansas store and at
the Good Shepherd Mission where many clients are Hispanic.
Gift donations may be dropped off at many area Lutheran churches, the
Christmas Store locations, and at Metro Lutheran Ministry, 3031 Holmes,
during weekday business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cash donations should be made payable to Metro Lutheran Ministry (memo:
Christmas Store), 3031 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo 64109.
Christmas store schedules are as follows:
Missouri MLM store: Dec. 6-8; Kansas MLM store, Dec. 6-9.
For more information on the Christmas Stores, to volunteer or
contribute, phone 931-0027, visit www.mlmkc.org on the Internet or
e-mail faye...@mlmkc.org.