Holiday Helpers: United Way seeks volunteers to assemble 3,000 meal kits this December

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local nonprofit is enlisting the help of the St. Joseph community this holiday season to support thousands of households facing food insecurity.

United Way of Greater St. Joseph is asking residents to lend a helping hand as part of a volunteer "blitz" event beginning Dec. 9 and leading right up to Christmas, a multi-day series with 10 opportunities to volunteer.

Over the course of 10 sessions from Dec. 9 through Dec. 22, volunteers will help assemble 3,000 meal kits to support local households experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season, part of United Way's Caring Connection volunteer program.

Meal kits assembled this December will be distributed through partner agencies, schools, and local organizations to ensure families have access to nutritious food during the holidays — a time when many resources are stretched thin. A total of 15 hours will be spent assembling meal kits to ensure enough are available.

The large-scale effort to support local families was made possible thanks to a grant from Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation. With the help of the grant, United Way is able to expand its Caring Connection volunteer program to meet continued needs within the community.

10 Days of Caring Connection Crew: Holiday Helpers Sessions

(All sessions take place at United Way of Greater St. Joseph, 118 South 5th Street.)

• Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Friday, Dec.12 | 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 13 | 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 15 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 8:30 to 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 18 | 8:30 to 10 a.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 22 | 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Sessions are open to individuals, families, workplace groups, and volunteers of all ages. Tasks include sorting, assembling, and packaging Meal Kits—hands-on work that has an immediate and direct impact for neighbors in need.