Our philanthropy efforts assist local organizations through hands-on projects and contributions.
Scraps KC Service Project
Kansas City Athenaeum members and guests volunteered in June sorting donated items at Scraps KC. This nonprofit organization collects used and excess materials to repurpose as resources for teachers, artists, churches and youth groups. Their mission includes providing the homeless with necessities, especially during the cold winter months. In addition, the Scraps KC store offers a huge selection of unused and repurposed items for purchase by the general public. Since its launch in 2016, Scraps KC has diverted more than 300 tons of materials from the landfill.
Volunteering at Harvesters
Kansas City Athenaeum members volunteered at Harvesters in February. They assembled mesh bags to hold fruits and vegetables for food distribution. Harvesters provides food to more than 760 nonprofit agencies with a mission to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow.
Helping the Homeless
Kansas City Athenaeum members have conducted an ongoing project sewing KC Community Bags for The Sewing Labs since 2020. That agency has partnered with Volunteer KC who prints canvas fabric with emergency resources for homeless individuals. One side of the bag has a Kansas City street map, and the other side lists locations for assistance resources. Our members' involvement has completed 374 bags for the project's distribution to the homeless.
Meeting Truman Medical Center Needs
Kansas City Athenaeum members have been knitting and crocheting to fill requested needs at University Health Truman Medical Center. More than 1,900 infant hats have been donated since January 2021. Members have also knitted and crocheted booties and baby blankets, as well as making flannel receiving blankets and burp cloths. These all support the newborn care needs at the hospital. Other ongoing projects include sewing dozens of patient tote bags and infusion pump bags for the cancer center, plus 766 eyeglass cases for the eye clinic.
Sweet Dreams for Seniors
Since 2020 Kansas City Athenaeum has annually supported the Sweet Dreams for Seniors Pillowcase Project conducted by The Sewing Labs. Our members have sewn 364 pillowcases for local senior centers. Each recipient receives one pillowcase made from holiday fabric and the other from everyday fabric.
The Benefits of Teamwork
Kansas City Athenaeum members work diligently to meet community needs. In an ongoing sewing project, yards and yards of fleece have been generously provided by The Sewing Labs for our members to make 490 hats and 178 scarves since 2021. These have been distributed to Amethyst Place, Missouri Girls Town, Operation Breakthrough, True Light Family Resource Center, Veterans Community Project, and the Clothes Closet at Central Presbyterian Church. Fleece was also used to make 40 gift bags for a 2021 Christmas project at Amethyst Place where children could select jewelry to give to their mothers. The jewelry was donated by our members and friends.