Boxes of Love will once again be delivered to homebound seniors in Barton and Pawnee counties. 

This marks the third year for this project,which is a collaboration of United Way of Central Kansas, ElderCare Home Services, Meals on Wheels and RSVP/Volunteers in Action, said UWCK Executive Director Gaila Demel. “Partnering together, these non-profits work to brighten the day and warm the hearts of hundreds of seniors throughout Central Kansas.”

Each box is filled with items for these seniors, some of them just for fun, and some practical items. Items include everything from stationary and cough drops to shampoo and conditioner. Due to the size of the box and transportation of the packages, sponsors do request that items be travel sized. 

Each box also gets topped off with homemade Valentine’s Day cards made by children at Great Bend Children’s Learning Center and Caring Hands Daycare.

The project is already off and running with donations from Dillons, Thrivent Financial and Midwest Energy, she said. “Thanks to these generous donations each box will have chocolates, stamps and night lights included.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to Boxes of Love can drop them off at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, University of Kansas Health System-Pawnee Valley Campus in Larned, First Kansas Banks in Hoisington and Great Bend, Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, Sunflower Banks in Ellinwood and Great Bend, and Farmers Bank & Trust. Cash donations are accepted and will be used to purchase items for each box. 

Make checks payable to United Way of Central Kansas, 1125 Williams St., Great Bend, KS 67530.