YWCA Northeast Kansas is able to provide for the needs of the families we serve thanks to the generosity of our community.
All donated items should be new unless otherwise noted.
New items can be dropped off at our office 225 SW 12th Street, Topeka, or shipped directly (please call to notify us of an expected delivery, (785) 354-7927.
If you purchase items using Amazon Prime, you can also choose to have a percentage of your purchase given to us as a monetary donation (at no cost to you or to us). Just order through smile.amazon.com and choose “YWCA of Northeast Kansas” as your charity to support. Thank you!
What Can I Donate?
Day Center
· Body Wash
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· BIPOC Hair Care Products
· Individually wrapped snacks such as granola bars
· Canned goods with pop tops (no can opener needed); this includes soup, tuna pasta, fruit
· Laundry pods
· New underwear and socks, all sizes
Main Office
· BIPOC hair care products
· Tampons
Rural Office
Food: Beans, Soup, Rice, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cream of Chicken Soup, Canned Meats* (Tuna, Chicken, Spam, etc), Canned fruit, Ready to eat canned food (Ravioli, Spaghetti O’s, etc.), Pasta Sauce (Alfredo, Spaghetti), Boxed Macaroni, Ramen Noodles, Sugar*, Flour*, Salt and Pepper, Granola Bars, Cereal, Instant Oats, Instant Coffee, Instant Hot Chocolate, Instant Tea, Powdered milk, Powdered Eggs, Peanut Butter, Mixed Nuts and Seeds
(Pull tab cans are the best)
Medications: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, TUMS, Allergy Relief
Health & Hygiene: Toilet paper, Paper towels, Kleenexes, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Body wash, Maxi pads, and Cleaning supplies
Shelter
· BIPOC hair care products
· Body Soap for sensitive skin
· Body Lotion
· Body Lotion for sensitive skin
· Laundry Detergent for sensitive skin
· Deodorant
Clients oftentimes request hair care products specifically for black hair textures. These tend to be some of our most requested items.
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie
- Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner
- Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Hydrating Cream Conditioner
- Taliah Waajid Curls, Waves and Naturals Curl Sealer
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque
- Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel
- SheaMoisture Leave-in or Rinse-out Conditioner (with Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter + Flaxseed Oil)
- Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk
- TCB Naturals Hair & Scalp Conditioner
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
- Wild Growth Hair Oil
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
- Pura d’Or Castor Oil 100% Pure Natural USDA Organic Carrier Oil
- Shower caps
The Early Learning Center (ELC) provides high quality, affordable childcare services for children 1 year old (and walking) to Pre-Kindergarten. Many of our families receive public assistance, and approximately one-third of our ELC children are in foster or kinship care. Our licensed staff follow the “Love and Logic” method, developing children’s sense of positive decision-making, empathy, and healthy relationships. To learn more, please visit our Youth Services page, or our article Could our Early Learning Center Save the Universe?
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Double Stroller or Wagon for walks
- Bean bag chairs/couch
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Art Supplies
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Children’s Furniture
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Scooters
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Tricycles
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Sand Box
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Beach toys
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Tea party dishes
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Puppets
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Puppet Stage
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Dress-up and make-believe clothing
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Children’s Garden Equipment
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Children’s clothes boy and girls starting from size 18 months to size 5T
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Outdoor picnic tables
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Outdoor toys
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Mats and or Cots
Household
- URGENTLY NEEDED Any disinfectant type products (e.g., bleach, Lysol/Clorox Wipes)
- URGENTLY NEEDED Trash bags
- URGENTLY NEEDED Standard-sized pillows and pillowcases (new or gently used)
- URGENTLY NEEDED Paper towels
- URGENTLY NEEDED Antibacterial Hand Soap Refill
- URGENTLY NEEDED Toilet paper
- URGENTLY NEEDED Kleenex
- URGENTLY NEEDED Rubbing Alcohol
- Twin sheets and blankets (new or gently used)
- Bath towels and washcloths (new or gently used)
- Plastic cups, sippy cups and bowls (dishwasher safe)
- Cleaning supplies
- Zip–lock bags
- Laundry detergent
- Clear, plastic storage tubs with lids
- Furniture is needed on a case-by-case basis. Call the office for more information, 785-354-7927.
Food
- Microwaveable food items/ non-perishables that do not need a can opener
- Non-perishable food, especially items with protein
- Kid’s snacks (fruit snacks, juice boxes, crackers, etc.)
- Bottled water
- Fun-size candy (for public education)
Children’s Items
- Diapers, especially larger sizes
- School supplies
- Coloring books
- Gel Pens and Coloring Pencils
- Play Dough or modeling clay
- Children’s and teen’s backpacks (new or gently used)
- Passes or gift certificates for activities (mini golf, movies, etc)
- Baby wash
New Clothing
Please note: our limited storage space only allows us to accept NEW women’s and children’s clothing. Used clothing cannot be accepted at this time.
- URGENTLY NEEDED Hanes Women’s 6-Pack Cotton Underwear: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- URGENTLY NEEDED Sport bras: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- URGENTLY NEEDED Athletic Socks (low cut) – multipack
- URGENTLY NEEDED Flip Flops or slip on shoes (new)
- URGENTLY NEEDED Women’s leggings: sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- Sweatpants: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- Hoodie sweatshirts: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- Cotton Tee Shirts: need sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Tank Tops: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- Flip flops: need sizes S,M,L
- Winter coats: need sizes S,M,L, XL, XXL
- Hats, gloves and scarves
As our world adapts to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have some specific needs in order to best serve the Topeka community. To read more about YWCA Northeast Kansas’ commitment to health and safety, please refer to this blog post
The most urgent items that we need are:
- Disposable Face Masks
- Paper Towels
- Clorox Wipes
- Lysol
- Bleach
- Kleenex
- Hand Sanitizer
We are looking for FULL SIZED personal care items. Please visit our “Hygiene & Health” and “Black Hair Care” tabs for specific information.
- Deodorant
- Razors
- Hair Conditioner
- Body Lotion
- Hair Care products for various textures
- Body wash (non-floral scents)
We are also looking for donations of new or previously enjoyed:
- Art supplies
- Adult Coloring Books
- Playing Cards
- Board games
- Puzzles
- DVDs
- Word search/crossword puzzles
Other
- Topeka Transit Bus Tickets
- Gas vouchers (Casey’s, QuikTrip, Kwik Shop)
- Phone cards
- Office supplies
- Gift Cards (Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Dillon’s, Office supply stores)
- Duffel Bags – Preferably a 20-inch bag
- Fleece Blanket