Karla Johnson shares how bell ringing, tap-to-pay kettles, and local partnerships fund year-round aid for families, students, and veterans in Riley, Geary, and Pottawatomie counties. We explore clear ways to volunteer, where the money goes, and why simple systems unlock big impact.

• Online auctions expanding into services
• Texas Roadhouse appetizer cards are driving donations
• Tap to pay kettles solving no-cash barrier
• Volunteer sign-up via registertoring.com with two-hour slots
• Eight local kettle sites plus new towns added
• Practical bell ringing tips and music etiquette
• Emergency aid for students with rent and utilities
• Help with car tags and taxes to keep jobs
• Prescription support through local pharmacy
• Veterans benefits navigation and claims support
• Clothing closet open, thrift store closed
• Angel Tree gifts due by the 18th or 21st

Please make sure you get those gifts to the store

GMCF

CFAs

We talk with Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas about serving 31 counties with rent help, food boxes, hygiene kits, and rural outreach that removes barriers and restores dignity. Partnerships, volunteers, and donors help the team expand space, respond to SNAP shifts, and make sure no one feels alone during the holidays.

• Serving 31 counties across north central and northwest Kansas
• Everyone is welcome regardless of faith or background
• Preventing eviction with rent and utility support
• Food boxes, diapers, and hygiene kits to stretch budgets
• Collaboration with Salvation Army, Shepherd’s Crossing, and Breadbasket
• Monthly outreach to 29 rural communities to reduce access barriers
• Responding to SNAP changes with flexible, donor-funded aid
• Expansion plans in Manhattan and potential sites in Concordia and Colby
• Twenty staff and 50–60 volunteers powering thrift, logistics, and distributions
• A holiday wish that no one feels alone and everyone feels seen

GMCF

CFAs

We spotlight KCCTO, a statewide Kansas initiative that delivers clock‑hour training, mental health support, and career pathways for early childhood professionals. Bronwyn Fees shares how a 65‑member team serves all 105 counties with online, virtual, and in‑person learning plus one‑to‑one career navigation.

• KCCTO’s mission and land‑grant roots
• Non‑credit clock‑hour training for licensing
• Scale of service across all 105 counties
• Director of groups and community conversations
• Mental health cohorts to reduce isolation
• Turnover drivers and workforce retention
• Statewide career pathway with stair‑step progression
• Career navigators for personalized guidance
• Simple access via phone and kccto.org
• Hub at Kansas State University with remote staff

Certainly, encourage our listeners to contact KCCTO if they have any other questions about getting into early childhood care and education or furthering their professional development

GMCF

CFAs