Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t have the kitchen necessities to cook for yourself? Picture this: it is dinner time, and you are thinking about what to eat. You want to prepare a meal for yourself and your family but don’t have the kitchen tools to make meal preparations easier, like a cutting board, pot, vegetable peeler, or the correct measuring tools. Instead of preparing a meal at home, you decide, “I will just go grab fast food or pull out a store-bought frozen entrée from the freezer.” For over a century, the Johnson County Extension Office has worked as a resource to help community members improve their lives.

The Kitchen Restore Program accepts new or gently used kitchen items from individuals, businesses, etc. It distributes these essential items to those in need in the community to better prepare food for themselves and their families at home. They partner with local social service agencies, churches, schools and more. Since 2022, the Kitchen Restore Program has distributed more than 225 kits and has reached more than 600 community members. Recipients of these kits have said, “It has made cooking easier, faster, and more fun;” and “I can cook now! I love it and I am so appreciative, thank you very much!” To learn how to make a donation or partner with us, visit bit.ly/KitchenRestoreProject.

As you go through the items under your kitchen and bathroom sinks or in your garages, sheds or junk drawers, check for instructions on properly disposing of any household hazardous materials you might find there. From cleaning products to light bulbs and batteries, lawn chemicals to latex and oil paint, the Johnson County Household Waste Collection and Reuse Facility offers an opportunity for county residents to dispose of items safely.

Their Free Store offers a variety of free, usable household products that other residents have dropped off. There is a limit of 10 items per resident. No appointment is necessary to shop, but be sure to schedule any materials drop-offs. Their Re-Blended Paint Program offers latex paint processed on-site for purchase in several color options. Paint is available in five-gallon buckets, and prices range from $20 to $35.

Visit jocogov.org/HHW for more information on accepted items, free store hours of operation and how to schedule a drop-off. The city of Olathe also operates a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Visit bit.ly/Olathe-HHW for information.

Ready to refresh your book collection this spring? Johnson County Library has a few events this April for library patrons of all ages to grab a snack, chat and trade their new or lightly used books with other book lovers. There are no books for purchase at this event. Bring a stack of books and come check out what other books people come to trade. Search the events for “Book Swap Café” on jocolibrary.org for more details.

After sorting through your collection and swapping books with friends, do you still have gently used books you want to donate? Support local library programs and initiatives by donating to Friends of the Library. They hold a drive-up donation event every Saturday in Lenexa, as well as small-quantity donation locations at several library branches. Friends of the Library accepts a wide variety of materials, from cookbooks to DVDs and puzzles, but make sure to check the website for more information on what is not accepted. For more information on donating, visit the Friends of Johnson County Library website.

While reviewing those significant family memories, consider how they might be part of the larger story of the history of Johnson County. The Johnson County Museum accepts donations to their collection. Those items and documents may be used as part of an exhibit, for research or other educational programs. The more information you have on the item or photos, the better! Who is in the photo? Who used this item? How did they use it? For more information on donation criteria, visit jcprd.com/756/Donate-to-the-Collection.

Johnson County Developmental Supports Shredding Services offers a safe and reliable way to dispose of sensitive documents while providing meaningful work to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With no minimum requirement, you can shred as little or as much as you need for just 50 cents per pound. No appointment is required! Business accounts can request a quote for services, and pick-up is offered for a small fee. Support a program that fosters independent job skills and empowers individuals in our community. For more information, visit bit.ly/JCDS-Shredding.