For more than 50 years, the Fort Larned Lions Club brightened the holidays for local families with food and comfort. This year, United Way of Central Kansas (UWCK) is honored to continue that legacy through the Christmas Food Box Project.
Nearly 45% of Pawnee County households are considered ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or below. These are hardworking families and seniors who are doing everything right, yet still struggling to afford basic needs.
One local single mother of two works full-time but still faces financial strain with rent, childcare, groceries, and utilities. A local senior living on $1,200 a month relies on community programs for meals, yet still faces uncertainty on evenings and weekends. For both, the Christmas Food Box offers stability, dignity, and hope.
Every donation stays local and directly provides food and essentials for Pawnee County families in need. Each box is more than a gift—it’s a reminder that no one in our community is forgotten.
How to Help This Holiday Season:
• Donate at uwck.org/Donate (note “Christmas”).
• Drop off non-perishable foods at Dillons, Jordaan Memorial Library, or Larned Middle School.
• Adopt a family through angel trees at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (clothing) or Larned High School (toys).
Thank you for helping continue this long-standing tradition of care. Together, we can bring comfort and hope to our neighbors this Christmas.