AFL-CIO’s Soles for Christ program in need of volunteers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The AFL-CIO said it is in need of volunteers to help provide students with a new pair of shoes for the upcoming school year.

The AFL-CIO's Soles for Christ program distribution days will be held from 9 a.m to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The program started as an idea orchestrated by a local church and has provided shoes for thousands of kids in need since its inception.

"About 25 years ago, we had a mission group come to us and ask us to be involved in a program that they had seen while they were on their mission trip," said Nichi Seckinger, executive director of the AFL-CIO.

Soles for Christ is still accepting shoe donations until the end of the day Thursday, Aug 6.

While they are still accepting donations, the help that the AFL-CIO is really after is volunteers.

"In our volunteering system, it shows a percentage of how many volunteer slots are filled," AFL-CIO Programs Coordinator Ashley Luthans said. "We ask for 40 people an hour, which is pretty difficult. We are very low; we may have 20 max an hour."

Volunteers are needed to help with building and line monitoring, sock distribution, registering families, sizing and fitting children for shoes, shoe room attendants and runners.

The first shift of the day will include orientation.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the event or donating shoes is encouraged to call 816-364-1111, email ashley.luthans@helpmenow.org or sign up at the AFL-CIO Soles for Christ program.