Acts of Kindness
We have listed here some of the things we love to do. If you would like to help with a specific project, email us at info@salinashares.org and let us know! If you would like us to speak to your church, business or organization, feel free to contact us!
Sharing the Load: (Formerly known as Laundry Love) We recently changed the name to reflect the relationship with Salina Shares instead of the national organization. This outreach is completely community funded, managed and staffed, with Salina Shares being the conduit, however, the idea of cultivating community in laundromats while offering to pay for people's laundry came from Laundry Love National. In January, 2014 we began the Laundry Love program at one laundromat in Salina. Even before we began, we delivered gift bags with laundry detergent, dryer sheets and quarters to the Laundromats as a random act of kindness. We learned then how surprised people were to receive just what they need with no strings attached. Now, we are at all 3 laundromats in Salina once a month and will pay for up to 5 loads of laundry per family. We also provide laundry supplies for those who need them. It has been a wonderful way to meet our community face to face. In the 12 years we have done it, we have learned that those times in the laundromat are about so much more than laundry. Sharing the Load was a hashtag we started using about 11 years ago to reflect that truth. Through our efforts, we are truly helping to share the load, literally and figuratively. For a complete list of dates and times, click on to the Sharing the Load tab. We encourage you to also follow us on Facebook for updates and information.
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We also have banks that look like washing machines. If your group, family or organization would like to borrow one for a month to collect money for Sharing the Load, let us know. You can come pick the one you want!
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Kindness Adventures: We go out into the community frequently to spread kindness like confetti! You never know where we will show up and what we will have to give away!
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Drop Your Drawers: Each June we collect new packages of men's, women's and children's underwear. Donations can be dropped off at each First Bank Kansas location or at our office - 155 S. 5th Street.
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Play in the Park: Our goal is to bring encouragement, cultivate relationships and help make good memories in local neighborhooods. Each summer you will find us in a local park, hosting these gatherings. We also partner with Daddy Bud Day for their event at Pacific Park each July. We purchase summer toys and playground equipment and prizes to give to our neighbors who attend. If you can contribute sports equipment, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jump ropes, etc. let us know. If you are interested in helping in any way, contact us!
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Christmas in July: One of the biggest challenges we have is helping families at Christmas with gifts for teens. If you would like to participate in our Christmas in July gift card collection, please let us know. For a business or church, we could provide a small Christmas tree with tags hung on it, itemizing the gift cards that we need or you can donate as an individual or family. We ask for $25 gift cards to places like Walmart, Target, Game Stop, The Alley, The District, Marshalls, Caseys, McDonald's, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Ulta, and Five Below.
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Socktober: Each October we collect new socks to meet the needs of the people we serve. Through the years, we have also been able to share these with other agencies when they need them. If you would like to be a collection site, contact us at info@salinashares.org. We also accept gently used socks (no holes) anytime throughout the year.​
Friendsgiving: The day before Thanksgiving each year, we serve a homemade Thanksgiving meal. All are welcome. Sit down meals are served from noon-3:00 and to-go meals are available 3:00-5:00.
Christmas Giving: We prepare all year to help families at Christmas. We have an Amazon Wish List on the home page of our website. and will add a Target registry closer to Christmas. We accept new toys and gifts for teens year round.
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The Scarf Project: We are mindful of our neighbors during the cold Kansas winters. Keeping an eye on the forecasts, we hang hats and gloves from trees, lampposts, bus stops and fences for people to take to help keep them warm. Each winter we give away hundreds of items. We collect these year round so we have plenty to give away each winter. Donations can be dropped off at 155 S. 5th St.
Winter Wear: During the winter we have a garment rack with gently used men's, women's and children's coats and jackets in our office at 155 S. 5th Street. These are available for anyone who needs them. We will accept clean, gently used coats, hoodies and sweatshirts throughout the winter. If you can help purchase coats, hats, gloves or scarves, out of season when they are cheaper, we gladly accept them year round. ​​
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Starting Over: We have many opportunities to help provide home goods for those starting over with nothing. It has been amazing to see how many needs we can meet when people are willing to share what they are no longer needing. Items we are always in need of are cookware, silverware, can openers, sheet sets, towels, cleaning and personal hygiene supplies. Small appliances such as microwaves, toasters, hot plates and coffee pots are also needed.