AFL-CIO provides update ahead of Adopt-A-Family adoption deadline

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The AFL-CIO announced that, as of Thursday, 885 families have applied to the Adopt-A-Family program.

Of the 885 families who applied, 385 have been adopted. The deadline to pick up or download an adoption application is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

The AFL-CIO said, families or individuals seeking adoption must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8. No applications will be taken after the deadline.

For anyone who has never adopted, the estimated cost to adopt one child under five years old is $50. For ages five to 12, it's $75 to $80 and the common price for teens ranges from $75 to $100.

Adopters are asked to provide at least one new gift per child. Any additional items for the children and any gifts for the parents are at the adopter's discretion.

The agency also said it has several adults and seniors who need to be adopted. Many of whom live in residential care facilities and are unable to afford basic necessities and do not have any other form of financial support.

The cost to adopt seniors and disabled adults typically ranges from $75 to $100 per person.

The AFL-CIO said it urgently needs adopters, as well as both gift and monetary donations. The agency is accepting donations of new toys and new gifts for infants through adults for its gift room.

The gift room is for families who are not chosen by the public for adoption; those families shop in the gift room for family members.

Monetary donations can be made by visiting www.helpmenow.org or by phone using a credit or debit card.

Monetary donations go toward purchasing gifts and food vouchers to help supplement families who are not chosen by the public for adoption.

Anyone interested in adopting can stop by the AFL-CIO, located at 1203 N. Sixth St., call 816-364-1131, fax 866-591-8565 or email adopt@helpmenow.org.

The agency's hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.