AFL-CIO sees influx of Adopt-a-Family applications

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The AFL-CIO Community Services' annual Adopt-a-Family Christmas program is back for its 43rd year, and it's seen an increase in applications this year, compared to others.

The program is designed to help disadvantaged families with children, disabled adults and seniors in St. Joseph to have a good Christmas.

The non-profit started accepting applications on Monday and has already received over 300.

Applications can be picked up in person or online. There's a $2 application fee for paper applications and a $3 application fee for online applications.

Ashley Luthans, AFL-CIO Community Services program coordinator, said this year will be big for the program.

"I think we're going to have a lot of applicants this year, and with that, we're going to need a lot of adopters and we're going to need a lot of volunteers," she said.

Luthans said the reason the program will be seeing more applications is due to the economy.

"Which is very unfortunate...and it makes me sad that more people are struggling and that more people are going to need help," she said. "But it also makes me happy that we have this program and we're able to offer that help to those who need it."

Nichi Seckinger, AFL-CIO Community Services executive director, said this program is important because the holiday season is hard for a lot of families.

"You know, there's a lot of people that really live paycheck to paycheck...The added expenses of Christmas are just more than they can do," she said. "So, without having programs like these, they just won't be able to do things for their kids. But every kid deserves to have Christmas."

Seckinger said the program has a long-lasting impact on the community, community involvement and support.

"It's really incredible to know that people are willing to step up and help and that we have that kind of a larger group than just the five people we have on staff," she said.

The applications for adopters open on Nov. 14.