Basic Needs
Year in Review:
Pop Up Giving
Did you attend a Pop Up Giving this year? If so, you know that they are eye-opening, impactful, and always involve good eats. We hope you also know that you made a difference. Pop Up Giving popped up four times this year, and between donations from attendees, match sponsors and event sponsors, we were able…
Read MoreKellogg’s Club Crackers fights hunger, promotes volunteerism
This season, Kellogg’s Club Crackers is partnering with United Way BCKR with a $25,000 donation and social media video promoting volunteerism. The donation will go toward the distribution of 1.6 million servings of food to local families in an effort to fight food insecurity. In Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, 1 in 7 adults and 1…
Read MoreJesse’s Story
Jesse has places to go. And now, he has a way to get there.
Read MoreCall to Advocate: SNAP Rule Change Will Mean More Hungry Families
More than 3 million Americans, including hundreds locally, could lose food assistance under a proposed federal rule change. That means more hungry families in our region. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to change a rule that lets some people who earn slightly over the income limit for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—SNAP, or…
Read MoreInvesting for Impact: $6.24 Million in UWBCKR Grants Drives Change
Childhood trauma, infant health, stable housing and food insecurity are among 110 area programs receiving a total of $6,247,821 in grants from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Sixty programs will receive a total of $3,718,401 in strategic grants annually for three years, according to Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Impact &…
Read MoreGrants 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,”…
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