BC/Kzoo
VITA: Tax Services With Purpose
Thousands of households in our region received more than $7 million in tax refunds and saved thousands in preparation fees through United Way of South Central Michigan’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this past year. VITA is a volunteer-focused tax service dedicated to making a meaningful impact on individuals and families with limited incomes…
Read MoreCereal Sale Collaboration Raises $10K for UWSCMI
The Battle Creek Cereal Sale, co-sponsored by Post Consumer Brands and WK Kellogg Co. as part of the recent National Cereal Festival, raised $10,212 to benefit the Battle Creek community through United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI). The two companies donated 10,000 boxes of their popular cereal brands, from Fruity PEBBLESTM to Kellogg’s Froot…
Read MoreALICE Report: Financial Hardship Rises
Today the Michigan Association of United Ways, in collaboration with United For ALICE, Consumers Energy Foundation and local United Ways statewide, released an updated report on financial hardship among Michigan households. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – individuals earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses. The latest…
Read MoreFEMA Grants Bring $466K For Local Relief
UWSCMI facilitated a grant process that provided $466,232 in federal funds to local organizations providing food, shelter and utility assistance to people in high-need areas. The emergency funding was announced in February and provided through the Emergency Food And Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency…
Read MoreKellanova Volunteers Feed Battle Creek Kids, Community Spirit
BATTLE CREEK – When it comes to community caring, Kellanova employees lead by example. About 20 Kellanova employees from Battle Creek volunteered at the South Michigan Food Bank on April 4, packing more than 1,300 food packages in less than two hours. The packages will be shared with students at Battle Creek Public Schools who…
Read MoreKalamazoo and Jackson Expungement Fairs
Use the links below to register for the upcoming Expungement Fairs in Kalamazoo and Jackson, hosted by Nation Wide. Jackson: https://bit.ly/3vALcAE Kalamazoo: https://bit.ly/3vqcud7
Read MoreResponding for ALICE: Mini-Grants Presented
United Way of South Central Michigan has awarded 21 mini-grants to organizations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo that are striving to increase the number of households living above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. “The opportunity to receive any funds of any kind is a blessing,” said Rhonda Ethridge of Life Cycles Bike4Life.…
Read MoreAlyssa Stewart Reflects On UW Career
After a decade as a driving force in United Way’s work, Alyssa Stewart is moving on to a new challenge – but she is still a United Way champion. Stewart, who has been UWSCMI’s Executive Impact Officer, is joining the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, where she will direct impact activities, grantmaking and scholarships. It’s a role…
Read MoreMartin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Celebration: 2024
In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as such. The MLK Day of Service calls for Americans…
Read More‘Superpower’ Kellanova Wins Social Impact Award
DETROIT- Many gathered at the Fox Theater the night of Nov. 28 as Steve Cahillane, Chairman, President & CEO of Kellanova (formerly known as Kellogg Co.) received the Corporate Social Impact Leader Award. The award comes in part from their strong engagement with United Way of South Central Michigan, a relationship that spans decades. “When…
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