Support AFL-CIO Community Services

Volunteers are the backbone of many agency programs. In 2022, volunteers donated 1,948 hours toward agency programs. They distributed 998 pairs of shoes to school-age children through the Soles for Christ program; helped sort and distribute clothing and household essentials in the Fab-U-Less Finds thrift store; and adopted, shopped for and distributed Christmas gifts to nearly 830 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 
• Fab-U-Less Finds | year-round - sorting and cleaning donations, organizing displays and racks, customer service
• 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. We are happy to make arrangements to pick up donated items when possible. For an idea of items that can be used through agency programs, please see the list below. 

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.  

Fab-U-Less Finds Thrift Store - new and gently used clothing and household items, including kitchenware, decor items, linens, toys, furniture, and appliances. We are happy to pick up yard sale leftovers or take items you can no longer use when you do your Spring or Fall cleaning.

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 emergency 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.