‘Urgent needs’: AFL-CIO sees increase in Adopt-A-Family applicants ahead of Thanksgiving

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The AFL-CIO Community Services announced its Adopt-A-Family Christmas program has received 731 applications as of Monday.

In a news release, the AFL-CIO said 182 families have been adopted so far, and with the increase in families, the agency said its urgent needs are adopters and donations.

For anyone who has never adopted before, the estimated cost to adopt one child under age 5 is $50. For children from 5 to 12 years old, it's $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 said several single adults and seniors need to be adopted. Many of them live in residential care facilities. They are unable to afford basic necessities and do not have other forms of financial support, according to the news release.

The agency is also accepting donations of new toys and new gifts for families ranging from infants to adults for the 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 other family members.

Monetary donations can also be made through the agency's website or by phone at 816-364-1131 using a credit or debit card.

All monetary donations will be used to purchase gift cards and food vouchers to help supplement families who aren't chosen for public adoption.

AFL-CIO Community Services, located at 1203 N. Sixth St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

Community members interested in adopting can call the AFL-CIO's number or email adopt@helpmenow.org.