Basic Needs
Grants available for Census 2020 push
United Way is taking the lead in Kalamazoo County, working as part of a statewide effort spearheaded by the Michigan Nonprofit Association to mobilize local nonprofits in encouraging census participation among hard-to-count populations.
Read MoreKellogg Adds Incentive to Promote Letter Carriers’ Food Drive
Kellogg Company is bringing a little something extra to this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive: an incentive to prompt more donations and benefit hungry families locally. The National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual drive happens Saturday, May 11. It’s the biggest one-day food drive in the country. Kellogg is a national sponsor of Stamp…
Read MoreUW Honored for Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
United Way’s support and advocacy for the survivors of sexual violence earned us special recognition. Bronson Healthcare’s Sexual Assault Services (SAS), based in Battle Creek, awarded our United Way the distinguished Betty Christ Memorial Award. The award honors outstanding community advocacy on behalf of sexual assault survivors. United Way “has gone above and beyond in…
Read MorePeriod Poverty Spurs New Program at Charitable Union
“Period poverty exists when a woman cannot access the necessary hygiene products needed during menstruation,” said Teresa Allen, Executive Director at Charitable Union. “The national data shows that 1 in 5 low-income women struggle to leave their homes during menstruation. We had no idea.”
Read MoreMaking Holidays Brighter
Holiday preparation is in full swing at the Portage Community Center. Over the next few weeks, staff and volunteers will distribute 63 food baskets, hand out donated gifts to 89 adopted families and celebrate with 114 children at the annual holiday party. They’ve already delivered 124 Thanksgiving baskets. “It’s a very busy time right now,”…
Read More#Faithfully United: Faith Community Answers Call to Action
A new partnership with the faith-based community drew together a diverse and enthusiastic group of volunteers. More than 50 people gathered at Stones Church on Nov. 29 to assemble 1,000 weekend food packs for food-insecure families throughout our region. The volunteer effort was part of Faithfully United, a pilot initiative launched this fall that aims…
Read MoreTaking Impact Personally
Chris Sargent, President & CEO, reflects personally on Impact Week 2018. Every now and then, someone asks what draws me to the work of United Way. The answer is easy: For me, it’s personal. I’ve spent much of my life living in this area. I have children here. Grandchildren, too. This is my home, and…
Read MoreImpact Week: Ensuring a Safety Net
Just one unexpected event can send a family spiraling out of control. For people in crisis—a job loss, a sudden illness, a broken car, an unexpected home repair—having support systems in place can help them get back on their feet. United Way BCKR works to ensure that our regional community has a safety net in…
Read MoreImpact Week 2018: Delivering Results, Changing Lives
Making a charitable gift or volunteering your time isn’t just a feel-good exercise. It’s an investment, and you want to see that investment pay off. United Way wholeheartedly agrees. “Our impact begins by identifying where we can invest resources, people and expertise to solve our region’s biggest challenges,” said Matt Lynn, Vice President for Community…
Read MoreSara's Story
Sara Spenelli dreams of working with children one day, inspired by the child life specialists who have helped her along her journey to becoming an independent adult. Sara, who was born with Turner syndrome, recently graduated from high school. Before she could pursue her education goals, however, she found herself in urgent need of housing…
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