As the holiday season approaches, many of us are remind that giving back in Overland Park means spreading joy a little further than our own homes. While gift-giving and festive gatherings make this time of year special, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to give back in a way that directly impacts our neighbors here in OP.
Overland Park is home to an incredible network of nonprofits working year-round to meet community needs. Our nonprofit organizations support local families, provide food security, housing, educational resources, and more. Whether you prefer hands-on volunteering, donating items, contributing financially, or organizing a workplace drive, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to get involved.
Below are a few organizations making an impact in OP and the surrounding area, along with ways you can support their work this holiday season:
Hillcrest Transitional Housing
Volunteer: thrift stores, apartment set-ups, donation center
Donate: household goods, pantry staples, financial gifts
Learn more: https://hillcrestkc.org/volunteer/
Hillcrest provides transitional housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering not just shelter but full supportive services to help residents become self-reliant. Volunteers can assist at the thrift shops, help prepare transitional housing units, or organize donation drives for household essentials. Their programs make a direct difference for families rebuilding stability and independence.
TFI Family Services
Volunteer: event assistance, holiday help, transportation
Donate: supplies for children and foster families, financial support
Learn more: https://kansas.tfifamily.org/contribute/volunteer/
TFI works with children and families through foster care programs, family preservation services, and youth support initiatives. Volunteers can help prepare care packages, support events, or lend a hand in fulfilling transportation needs that help the organization strengthen family outcomes. Donations, including holiday gift drives, go directly toward providing comfort and stability for children in care.
Harvesters – The Community Food Network
Volunteer: warehouse shifts, food sorting, mobile distributions
Donate: food items or monetary gifts
Learn more: https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer
Harvesters supports food security across the region and works closely with local partner pantries in Overland Park. Volunteers play a huge role in sorting food, packing boxes, and assisting with mobile distributions. A few hours of time can help feed hundreds of families during the holiday season, when demand is especially high.
Make-A-Wish Kansas & Western Missouri
Volunteer: event support, wish-granting assistance, translator
Donate: funds to support life-changing wishes
Learn more: https://kansas.wish.org/
Make-A-Wish brings hope, joy, and memorable experiences to children facing critical health conditions. Whether through donations or volunteering at events, community members help turn wishes into reality from dream trips to special celebrations that brighten a child’s life during difficult times.
Looking for even more ways to get involved?
You can explore dozens of additional Overland Park nonprofits in the OP Chamber’s directory. Find more OP nonprofits here.
A Community Leading by Example
Groups and organizations are stepping up and giving back in Overland park, and the OP Chamber Young Professionals are a great example. This season, they’re hosting a donation drive for TFI, showing how easy it can be to rally your workplace or peer group behind a meaningful cause. Their effort is a reminder that impact multiplies when we come together.
Why Giving Back Matters in Overland Park
Giving locally strengthens the very community we live, work, and play in. When we support Overland Park nonprofits, we invest in a brighter, healthier, more connected future for our neighbors. Every volunteer shift, every donated can, every shared campaign, and every act of generosity, big or small, helps build a community that cares for one another.
This holiday season, consider choosing one (or a few!) organizations to support. Your time, your resources, and your willingness to help can make all the difference for someone right here in Overland Park.
Together, we can create a season filled with warmth, kindness, and meaningful impact.
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