EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — Michelle Tucker, the president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis said the Lessie Bates David Neighborhood House was one of more than 100 sites volunteers were stationed at on Saturday for the organization's first "Unite With Us Day."
The effort was put in place to encourage volunteers to partner with the hundreds of non-profits United Way helps fund daily.
Cedric Mitchell was a part of the group helping pass out loads of food and home goods at the pantry. He has been connected to United Way since 1989 in the Air Force.
"I see these needs and we'll be giving this opportunity to help fill these gaps and help lift people up and get them involved," he said.
CEO of the Lessie Bates David Neighborhood House Gary Gaston said "I think it's a personal fulfillment that people get out of it. The need to help. It satisfies concerns for the needs of the community, family,{and} children. We see it all over the area."
He stressed how his family were recipients of the organization's services and that they could not do what they do inside their facility without the help of volunteers.
Another group traveled to Employment Connection in Downtown St. Louis to organize clothing and other resources for people looking to build a future.
It is where Lisa Roberts and her family spent a few hours helping organize the Client Market.
"United Way is such a fabulous organization and being able to support an agency like this that has a mission that I really believe in is just an exciting opportunity and also really exciting to know that so many folks throughout the region are out today as well," she said.
United Way provides funding for more than 160 non-profits across Missouri and Illinois, impacting more than a million people annually.
None of that is possible without the help of the people who lend a hand.
"What it means to us today ... everything ... because we know the power of people," Tucker said.
You can find volunteer opportunities here.