By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
AFL-CIO Community Services is asking for volunteers to step up to help distributing shoes during next week's Soles 4 Christ distribution event.
Executive Director Nichi Seckinger says about 20 to 30 more people are needed for the event around the 3pm to 7pm period.
"We usually ask volunteers to sign up in at least two-hour increments just because of the way the program runs and to keep it smooth we're not trading people out all the time and having to stop mid-kid, so we ask them to do two-hour increments," Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The end of the day for us is pretty open and we've had some folks unfortunately have to reach out to us and they're unable to volunteer now because they've tested positive for COVID."
"So, we've had, in addition to needing those folks, we've had a handful of people have to call in and cancel because they're unable to attend because they are sick," Seckinger adds. "So, we're seeing these numbers actually as we've had a few people call in to sign up we've lost people as well so it's kind of turned into a vicious animal, it's where we're at now though, with COVID in our lives it's what we're stuck with."
The event on Tuesday and Wednesday will run from 9am to 7pm at the Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph. Volunteers are also needed to help unload shoes on Monday evening.
People interested in volunteering can contact Community Services to learn about available volunteering opportunities.