Support AFL-CIO Community Services

Have you ever wanted to be a part of something greater than yourself? If you’ve ever thought you’d like to be a part of making your community a better place to live for both your children, and for others, AFL-CIO Community Services is a great place to start.

There are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Please review the information below to determine the best fit for you. When people give, lives change, and together we can build a better future for the residents of our community. Contact us today to find out how your resources can be best matched to local needs. 

The success of all agency programs is due to the generosity of community members and businesses that provide financial support. The chart below offers several examples of how funds can be used within the agency's seven programs.

Donors can designate funds to specific programs or make general "unrestricted" donations that can be used across all programs as needed. By making an unrestricted monetary donation or becoming a business/corporate event sponsor, you are allowing us to respond to the program with the most current needs. Because many of the programs are seasonal, a monetary donation ensures the success of the programs rather than restricting the funds to a limited period of use.

To make a donation, use the DONATE button found on this website or call 816.364.1131.

Fund use chart horizontal

Volunteers are the backbone of many agency programs. In 2024, volunteers donatedVolunteer hands 2,112 hours toward agency programs. They distributed 1,105 pairs of shoes to school-age children through the Soles for Christ program; and adopted, shopped for and distributed Christmas gifts to nearly 925 families living in the St. Joseph area through the Adopt-A-Family program. The options for volunteering at AFL-CIO Community Services are endless and we can always find a match for your talents. Because many agency programs are year-round, there is always an opportunity to volunteer.

The list below provides general timeframes for each agency program that utilizes volunteers and includes a few volunteer options as well. 

  • Help Me Hotline | year-round program - office work, including filing,
    data entry, preparing mass mailings
  • Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program | November and December - senior shopping, assisting adoptees in gift room,
    organization, gift deliveries to shut-ins and seniors 
  • Soles for Christ Shoe Program | August - sorting and organizing shoe room, fitting shoes, data entry, transporting inventory 
  • Diaper Depot | year-round - sorting and organizing diapers, inventory

To learn more, sign up for our mailing list to get alerts about volunteer opportunities or call 816-364-1131.

The opportunities and the options for giving are numerous for donors interested in giving items, and every item received goes to good use. From new to used, programs can utilize nearly anything donated to the agency. For an idea of items that can be used through agency programs, please see the lists below. 

Donation boxes

Adopt-A-Family Christmas - items for the gift room, including toys, household items and clothing; supplies for wrapping gifts; food items; hygiene items; and cleaning supplies. All items donated to the Adopt-A-Family should be new, as they are given as gifts for the holiday.  

Diaper Depot - diapers and wipes are always needed; the program also supplies seniors with incontinence supplies and accepts these donated items as well. Donated diapers do not need to be full packages, as they are sorted and combined with other donations to provide supplies to families.  

Lions Club Eyeglasses - used eyeglasses can be donated to the eyeglasses program; used hearing aids can also be processed through the Lions Club program. These items are recycled through a national program that helps to reduce waste and recycle usable components.

Soles for Christ shoe program - new tennis shoes in all sizes, from toddler to adult, can be used for this program; new socks are also accepted. These shoes are sometimes the only new thing students have for the school year. It also ensures they can fully participate in school activities. 

Seasonal Services - fans, space heaters and air conditioning units can all be used for this program. Both new and used items are accepted.  

 

For more information on donating items to agency programs, please call 816.364.1131. 

 
Programs
  • Help Me Hotline Information & Referral
  • Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program
  • Lion’s Club Eyeglasses
  • Soles for Christ Shoe Program
  • Diaper Depot
  • Seasonal Services
  • Emergency Assistance
 
Donate by Mail

AFL-CIO Community Services
1203 N. 6th Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501

Giving a donation on the part of someone else makes a great holiday gift. If you’d like to commemorate someone with your donation, please include their name and contact information on your donation notes. Donations can also be made through the mail, at 1203 N. 6th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501, or by phone at 816.364.1131.

Donate by PayPal