It’s Day 2 of Impact Week at United Way of South Central Michigan, and today we are taking a closer look at what’s happening in Battle Creek.
ALICE* data tells us that overall, 21,822 households in Calhoun County – 39 percent – are struggling financially, living either in poverty or below the ALICE threshold. But the data goes much deeper than that. Looking at demographics and individual budget items for a typical family or individual allows us to better see specific areas of concern in Battle Creek, and helps us determine where donor dollars will have the greatest impact.
Here are two examples of where ALICE data has informed our work:
Helping Babies get a Healthy Start
The Data: In Calhoun County, 61 percent of all Black children and over 42 percent of all children under the age of two are living below the ALICE threshold, in households with adults who are working hard, but struggling every month to make ends meet.
Our Investment: This data drives UWSCMI’s investment into organizations like Milk Like Mine, a breastfeeding coalition focused on supporting Mothers of Color and their families. UWSCMI’s investment allowed Milk Like Mine to increase their staff, open an office to serve the community, and provide thousands of hours of breastfeeding consultation, postpartum depression and doula services to families free of charge. This helps ensure families get a healthy start in our community. Read their recent UW Seeding Grants Report.
Ensuring Families Have Fresh Food to Eat
The Data: In Calhoun County, 3,411 children living below the federal poverty line are not receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamp benefits. In other words, they receive no government assistance to access food.
Our Investment: This statistic, and the fact that some areas in Battle Creek do not have grocery stores, spurred UWSCMI’s investment in R.I.S.E., Inc., to support the provision of fresh food boxes in the predominately BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Washington Heights and Post-Franklin neighborhoods. At its height during the COVID-19 pandemic, RISE provided fresh food to over 350 families every single week.
Milk Like Mine and R.I.S.E., Inc. are just two United Way-funded programs providing assistance and working toward solutions in Battle Creek. Below is a list of all of our funded partners in Battle Creek , each one carefully chosen for their expertise, ability to connect with their community, and passion for the work.
*ALICE = Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
Your donation helps support these programs and investments. Please consider a gift to United Way this season.