Social Services

By Ashley Luthans There are many ways to volunteer or donate to charitable organizations in St. Joseph during this time of year. The St. Joseph Salvation Army is one place that people can volunteer at, not only during the holidays, but year-round. Major Laura Key with the Salvation Army says that each child that has

By Nicole Scott Second Harvest Community Food Bank in St. Joseph will be closed on Friday, Dec. 20.  The organization announced their closure through social media on Friday morning, but did say that its staff will be volunteering at another community organization.  The staff at Second Harvest will be serving meals at Open Door Food

By NewsPress Now The AFL-CIO of Greater St. Joseph is getting closer to its goal of getting all seeking holiday gift assistance adopted. With just six days until the Christmas holiday arrives, the AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family program has assisted 576 families. However, there are 317 families still waiting. Officials are scheduling as many participants as possible

By Kyle Schmidt The goal of delivering Christmas presents to 893 families including 2,935 individuals will come down to the wire with a week until Christmas. AFL-CIO Community Services Executive Director Nichi Seckinger said 527 families have been adopted. Others still waiting for assistance through the Adopt-A-Family program, which provides Christmas gifts to those in

By NewsPress Now Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph announced on Wednesday morning that since Oct. 1, they have helped more than 2,000 local families with energy assistance this winter. CAP helps area residents in many different ways from their Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, their Housing Development program, Water Assistance program, their

By Kyle Schmidt Musicians from around the country have come together to create a Christmas album that benefits people right here in St. Joseph. The 23-track “Mark Murtha’s Christmas Party in Kansas City” is helping nonprofit organizations across Missouri, including AFL-CIO’s Adopt-A-Family program locally. Murtha, a guitarist and the producer of the album, gathered 40

By Leah Rainwater As the holiday season approaches, Voices of Courage shared recommendations to be mindful when taking part in family gatherings. While sitting on Santa’s lap for a picture might seem like something you think your kiddo would enjoy, it could actually share a different message. “Sitting on a strange man’s lap to get

By Ashley Luthans The St. Joseph Host Lions Club is hosting its annual fruit sale to benefit the community. The annual sale began on Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. and will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the former Golden Corral parking lot, 715 N. Belt Highway. The club will be

By Chris Fortune Many families are still seeking assistance in finding the perfect gift in the days leading up to Christmas. The AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program has 893 families enrolled, and 447 families have already been adopted, but more than 400 still need help. “Last year we had a lot of adopters who would adopt

By Chris Fortune Leadership at the local St. Joseph, Mo., homeless shelter are looking to provide a long-term solution to the growing needs of the homeless population. Community Missions already provides resources and shelter to the homeless community, however, Executive Director Rachael Bittiker is working to expand the services at the cold weather shelter, 700

By NewsPress Now Several people still need assistance to have a merry Christmas through a community program. AFL-CIO of St. Joseph said 473 families are waiting for help through its Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program. This year, 893 applicants were chosen for the program, and as of Dec. 11, 420 families have been adopted by 181 adopters.

By Nicole Scott The Platte County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office brought comfort and joy to area children this past Saturday. The Platte County Sheriff’s Office shared through social media that last Saturday, Dec. 7, they held their 30th Annual “Shop with a Deputy” event and were able to help 46 children in need. The Sheriff’s Office

By Ashley Luthans Central High School’s new volunteer club is spreading holiday cheer in St. Joseph. Students in the club visited Downtown businesses on Tuesday afternoon to deliver homemade cards and treats. “Unity for the Community” was created for the 2024-25 school year by two juniors at Central: Taevyn Hanson and Lily McClain. McClain shared

By Charles Christian A local nonprofit is set to give away free new toys for kids just in time for the holidays. Grace House, 2638 Lafayette St., will begin offering items for infants and children up to age 12 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Grace House Executive Director Ruth Costello said that in

By Kendra Simpson Second Harvest Community Food Bank kicked off the “12 Days of Giving” food drive for campus cupboards across St. Joseph. The food drive goes until Dec. 31 and is asking for donations of 12 food items, including bagged rice, canned beans, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, granola bars, mac ‘n’ cheese, peanut

By Kendra Simpson MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center hosted its 16th annual “Tis Better to Give than to Receive” toy drive Thursday evening. The community showed up to help make spirits bright for the 48 students at MidCity Excellence with monetary and toy donations. MidCity Excellence helps keep kids off the street, out of jail

By Kyle Schmidt A local agency is seeking some community Santas to help provide a merry Christmas for those in need. The annual AFL-CIO Adopt-A-Family program is in its final days for people to sign up for holiday assistance. Executive Director Nichi Seckinger said the agency sees a big push of applicants at this time

By Nicole Scott The Noyes Home for Children is sharing a holiday wish with the community.  The agency posted on social media about the need for 30 to 40 shower caddies this holiday season so that each child in its care can have one.  The specific shower caddy asked for is from the brand EUDELE

By Ashley Luthans Hy-Vee, in collaboration with local first responders, distributed 200 free hams to community members on Wednesday. As part of the “Hams for the Holidays” program, the St. Joseph Hy-Vee is one of 18 participating locations giving out a total of 5,000 hams this year. The distribution event began at 3 p.m. at

By Leah Rainwater The Noyes Home for Children hosted its annual holiday open house on Tuesday. Visitors enjoyed refreshments, music and activities including gingerbread house decorating, ornament making and Christmas stories narrated by Will Stuck. Santa was also in attendance and community members were able to tour the Noyes Home and also see the “Help

By Ashley Luthans This is the last week for people to apply for assistance from the Adopt-A-Family program. Those seeking to be adopted through the AFL-CIO program must have children ages 18 or younger in the home, be over the age of 63 or be actively receiving disability assistance. Applications are due by 5 p.m.

By Jazmine Knight It’s Giving Tuesday and many St. Joseph organizations are encouraging the community to support generosity by giving back to local nonprofits. Giving Tuesday is a worldwide mission to support and spread generosity in the community. According to Mellissa Birdsell, executive director of Voices of Courage, the idea originated as a response to

By Charles Christian One St. Joseph agency’s program is helping combat the recidivism rate by helping ex-prisoners re-enter society. Though The Crossing may be best known for its food distribution center, which reaches more than 1,500 people per month, its re-entry program, which houses around a dozen men at a time, is providing a new

By Leah Rainwater Crafts, Christmas stories and a visit from Santa are part of an annual holiday celebration set for next week. The Noyes Home for Children will be hosting its Holiday Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 801 N. Noyes Blvd. There will be gingerbread house and ornament

By Nicole Scott The St. Joseph YWCA is asking community members to think of area nonprofits and those in need this holiday season Giving Tuesday, which falls on Dec. 3, is a nationwide annual initiative for community members to donate to area organizations. YWCA Executive Director Danielle Brown said her agency is happy to receive

By Jazmine Knight The Bartlett Center is set to host its first annual Holiday Mart fundraiser. Guests can support kids who use the facility and local businesses from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, at the center, 409 S. 18th St. The mart will feature an array of vendors including a permanent jeweler,

By Ashley Luthans Registration for Second Harvest Community Food Bank’s Holiday Express food distribution will be on Thursday, Dec. 5. Second Harvest distributes free hams, holiday boxes, and produce through this program. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and will last until 7 or supplies run out. If anyone arrives before noon, they will be asked

By NewsPress Now If you’re looking to help those in need this holiday season with donations of money, items or just your time, the United Way can point you in the right direction. The agency has compiled a guide of holiday-specific opportunities in the 2024 United Way Holiday Volunteer and Giving Guide. Whether you want

By NewsPress Now With a delay leading to a donation shortfall, officials with the Adopt-A-Family program are asking the community for help. Due to an issue with a local printer, the holiday edition of AFL-CIO Community Services’ newsletter did not hit mailboxes until this weekend, which is three weeks behind schedule. The newsletters are one

By Charles Christian Cold weather is here and community shelters are spending time and money to provide a safe place for the homeless community. Major Ron Key of the Salvation Army said winter presents safety challenges for those without homes, and his agency does its best to meet their needs. “We have nine apartments and