The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), a program of the Barry County United Way, offers free tax help to households whose annual income is less than $60,000.  Their certified volunteer tax preparers are trusted experts who will file your taxes for free.

Amy VanZandt, VITA program coordinator, “We have been preparing for another great year and are excited to help our residents save the filing fee by utilizing this program. Last year, this program provided over a million dollars back to our residents through returns and the Home Heating Credit. ”

Appointments are now being scheduled by calling the Barry County United Way office at 269-945-4010. Locations are available in Hastings, Middleville, Delton and Nashville.

This program is in partnership with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

It is that time of year again that many in our community are looking for ways to give back during the Holiday Season.  This year’s “Holiday Help” list highlights everything that our local nonprofit agencies need to keep doing the great work in our community.

We know that COVID-19 is not going anywhere any time soon and agencies are continuing to provide much needed services in the best way possible.  This year’s “Holiday Help” list informs the residents of Barry County of the many different ways that they can volunteer, support, and/or give a gift that will make a difference in their community.  Gift requests often can range from items that an agency is looking to have donated to volunteer work to monetary donations and more.

For more information, contact Morgan Johnson at the Barry County United Way Volunteer Center at 269-945-4010.  Items can be dropped off at the local agency that is requesting the item or can be brought to the Barry County United Way Volunteer Center at 231 S. Broadway in Hastings for distribution.

 

The “Holiday Help Needs” list follows:

 

Barry County Commission on Aging – Provides county-wide coordination for Barry County residents age 60 and over. Their mission is to promote independence, dignity and quality of life to the aging population and their families.

Cleaning supplies: toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, dish soup, laundry soup, shower/tub cleaner, floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, paper towel and Kleenex

Ensure/Boost drinks

Supplies for Adult Day Services: wet wipes, small head pillows

(3) standing desk converter kits

(4) office chairs

Small shop vac

Mobile tv cart/stand for 65 inch tv

Transit passes

For residents to come try the activities, events, and services at the COA

Participate in Trivia Night (February 18) and the Annual Walkathon

Volunteers to help with event

50 Barry County residents to “Like us” on Facebook

Contact Courtney Ziny, 269-948-4856

 

 

Barry County United Way – Improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of Barry County Communities.

Volunteers for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program

For the Fresh Food Initiative: peanut butter, canned tuna/chicken, boxed mac and Cheese, boxed cereal

New, unwrapped gifts for the Toys for Barry County Kids program

Contact Morgan Johnson, 269-945-4010

 

Family Promise of Barry County – Their mission is to help families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community based response.

Volunteers!

Gas cards

Paper products: toilet paper, paper towel, plates, utensils

Laundry Supplies: soap, softener, dryer sheets

Cleaning supplies for bathrooms and kitchen

Dish soap, hand soap

Contact Abbie Hockstad, 269-256-4594

 

Family Support Center of Barry County – To support and strengthen families to eliminate and prevent child abuse and neglect through awareness, advocacy, and education.

New or gently used desks or office work stations

Unopened, new packages of children’s diapers

Desk office chair

Contact Linda Maupin, 269-945-5439

 

Green Gables Haven – Offers shelter for abused woman and children for up to 4 weeks. GGH provides a temporary, secure, nurturing environment and support to enable victims of domestic violence in Barry County to make appropriate life altering changes.

Cleaning products, paper products, personal care items

Non-perishable food

Their most current needs can be found on their Amazon wishlist. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XZ4D2YTFNADE?ref_=wl_share

Contact: Jenny Cusack, 269-945-4777

 

The Shack – A totally free clothing outreach available to anyone regardless of income or residency. Run completely on donations and volunteers.

New window blinds (2 sets)

An awning

VOLUNTEERS to work (1) Saturday a month

New underwear – all sizes

Gloves/mittens (waterproof)

Contact Kathy Forsyth, 269-207-2515

 

Thornapple Area Parks & Rec Commission – Provides all people with the opportunity to be active through affordable, safe and healthy recreational activities.

New or slightly used utility vehicle (Gator, Mule, or similar) to maintain youth baseball fields.

Contact Emily Dock, 616-450-1757

 

YMCA of Barry County – Provides community outreach, sports and recreation, child care and summer camp.

Gas cards for food delivery and “Y on the Fly” vans

New Vest Style Personal Floatation Devices for campers

Volunteer groups for Spring Projects

Contact Jon Sporer, 269-945-4574

 

FEMA/EFSP funding amount announced

Barry county has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter national board program. Barry County has been chosen to receive State Set Aside dollars of $10,788.00 for Phase 39 funding with an additional $34,517.00 in ARPAR funding – totaling $45,305.00 for supplemental emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Congress has appropriated $130,000,000 for Phase 39 funding and an additional $400,000,000 in ARPAR funding to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board has again reserved a portion of the funds for the State Set- Aside (SSA) process. Barry County’s award is based upon our jurisdiction’s total number of unemployed as compared to the total number of unemployed in all qualifying jurisdictions.

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; the Jewish Federations of North America, the Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide.

A local board made up of the Salvation Army, Barry County Commissioners, Hastings area Ministerial Association, Continuum of Care, Commission on Aging, South Michigan Food Bank, Catholic Charities and Barry County United Way will determine how the funds awarded to Barry County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Barry County has most recently distributed emergency food and shelter funds to McCallum Church in Delton, Manna’s Market, Barry County United Way, and the South Michigan Food Bank.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for emergency food and shelter program funds can find the application on our website at www.bcunitedway.org or you can contact Morgan Johnson at the Barry County United Way at morgan@bcunitedway.org or 269-945-4010. Please e-mail to Morgan Johnson, mail or fax the request to:  Barry County United Way: Attention: FEMA/EFSP, 231 South Broadway, Hastings, MI  49058 fax number:  (269) 945-4536. The deadline for applications to be received is Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 5pm.

Join us for our FIRST ever Stuff the Bus event. We will be filling a bus with school supplies for our annual Barry County United Way Backpack Program.
Walmart has generously partnered with us to help youth across all of Barry County be ready to start the school year off right!
Now all we need is YOU! Come on out to the Hastings Walmart at 1628 W. M-43 Hwy on Friday, August 5th from 10am-4pm to help us STUFF THE BUS!
Donations of NEW items are accepted.

Join our event on  Facebook to keep on top of updates on this event!

 

 

Michigan Association of United Ways and Kellogg’s partner for 2^nd annual Summer Stock Up to raise funds and fill food pantry shelves for the summer months

 

The Barry County United Way is joining Michigan United Ways and the Kellogg Company for the second-annual Summer Stock Up – a two week statewide virtual and in person drive to stock the shelves of Michigan’s food banks and pantries.

 

An in person collection will be taking place at the Barry Community Enrichment Center (231 S. Broadway in Hastings) on Thursday, June 23 from 9am-Noon.  Items collected will include: boxed mac and cheese, boxed cereal and canned vegetables or fruit.  All donated food will go directly to food pantries serving Barry County residents.

 

There is also a virtual giving option available by visiting www.summerstockup.org.

Visit our Facebook event page for more about the in person event.

 

Having enough food is a basic challenge for many households in Barry County.

At least 1 in 8 Michiganders face hunger and with fewer resources during the summer months, Michigan food banks see an increase of 20% for families seeking food resources between June and August.

 

“As we continue to support the needs of our local families, Summer Stock Up is just one of the many initiatives that addresses the critical need to help ensure our community has access to fresh, healthy food all summer long,” said Morgan Johnson, Director of Outreach & Community Engagement at the Barry County United Way.  “With the current rising costs of food today, more Barry County families will need the support of their local food banks and pantries – and based on the success of last year’s program, Summer Stock Up has proven to make an incredible impact.”

 

Families with children feel the impact of food insecurity even more profoundly. According to the recent ALICE in Focus: Children Research Brief, as recently as the fall of 2021, 41% of Michigan families below the ALICE Threshold with children reported that sometimes or often, “children were not eating enough because we just couldn’t afford enough food.” For many kids, when class lets out for the summer, they no longer have access to the nutritious breakfast and lunch they normally receive while in school. To learn more about our local ALICE, visit www.bcunitedway.org/alice.

 

“People cannot reach their full potential if they’re hungry. Kellogg’s Better Days is our promise to advance sustainable and equitable access to food, including feeding 375 million people in need by the end of 2030, “ says Stephanie Slingerland, Senior Director, Global Philanthropy and Social Impact. “We are proud to stand alongside United Way in a partnership that is focused on our aligned values and creating a positive impact in our communities.”

 

The inaugural Summer Stock Up in 2021 raised more than $63,000 and collected more than 46,000 pounds of food, benefitting 220 food pantries across the state.

 

 

To support the Summer Stock Up in your community or learn more, visit www.summerstockup.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Volunteer Awards.  The Volunteer Awards recognize, honor and celebrate residents within Barry County who have given so generously of their time and talent for the benefit of the community.

 

This event is an excellent opportunity to celebrate volunteers who work in a variety of areas.  Nominations are being accepted for the following awards: Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Mentor Award, Continuing Service Award, Corporate Service Award, and Group Volunteer Award.  Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, June 17, 2022 to be considered.

 

Any organization that utilizes volunteers in Barry County is eligible to submit nominations.  This includes nonprofit agencies, service clubs and organizations, churches, and even businesses that are involved in employee volunteering.  This year, we will be BACK to hosting an in-person event!  Join us on Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 6-7pm at the Barry Community Enrichment Center (231 S. Broadway, Hastings).   Winners will receive personalized awards and all nominees will receive a certificate of appreciation.

 

We hope that you will take a few moments to submit a nomination and recognize a volunteer or volunteers that you know are doing great work for the community.  If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Johnson at morgan@bcunitedway.org or (269) 945-4010.

NOMINATION PACKET

SPONSORSHIP PACKET

This year has been difficult for many and our local non-profit agencies have been working hard to meet the needs of our Barry County residents the best that they can.  Each year the Barry County United Way collects a list of “needs” from our local agencies to help them better serve our community.  With services adapting to our changing economy and many agencies offering different delivery methods for their programs, this leaves a great need for additional resources, items and volunteer time right now. Barry County is fortunate to have many people in our community who are eager and able to support, volunteer and provide assistance, but it’s not always clear what help is needed.

 

The “New Year’s Needs” wish list provides a way for individuals to personalize gifts for agencies in our community that serve residents throughout Barry County.  While many of the agencies have listed “items” they would like to receive, others are in need of volunteers.  Volunteers play a vital role in the work that area agencies do and can make a tremendous difference in the lives of those they assist.

 

For more information, contact Morgan Johnson at the Barry County United Way Volunteer Center at 269-945-4010.  Wish List items can be dropped off at the local agency that is requesting the item or can be brought to the Barry County United Way Volunteer Center at 231 S. Broadway in Hastings for distribution.

 

The “New Year’s Needs” list follows:

 

Barry County Commission on Aging – Since 1974, the COA has been helping older adults stay happy, safe, and independent in their own homes, through a variety of affordable home and community based services.

Bingo prizes – personal paper products, cereal, cleaning supplies, candy, chocolate, word search books and lotion.

$10 and $25 VISA cards for gas and grocery purchases

Coffee tables books with large pictures

Trivia Games

Record albums that older adults would enjoy

Cleaning Supplies

Contact Tammy Pennington, 269-948-4856

 

 

Barry County Great Start Collaborative – A partnership of community agencies, business owners, health and human service agencies, educators, child care providers, parents and individuals working together to improve programs and services for families with from prenatal to age 8.

Storage space for boxes of books to be distributed to families and children

Contact Julie McMillen, 269-243-0306

 

 

Delton VFW Post 422 – A free place of meeting for veterans and their families (in the Delton area and all of Barry County) to connect not only each other but also VA service officers.  They offer a variety of services such as free meals, a therapist on site once per month, free Wi-Fi and more.

1-2 laptops

New walk in cooler

New roof and/or volunteer to help re-roof the building

Paint and/or volunteers to help paint interior spaces

Gift certificates for printer ink and office supplies

Contact Tess Knobloch, 269-623-2278, 269-217-0437

 

 

Family Promise of Barry County – A community response to homelessness in Barry County. In partnership with 12 area churches to provide overnight shelter and case management to reduce and eliminate the barriers to home ownership.

Gas cards for their bus which helps guests get to and from work while at shelter

Barry County Transit passes

Grocery gift cards for shelter

New Keurig

Industrial shelving units for storage

Contact Tonia Swager, 269-953-6189

 

 

Family Support Center of Barry County – Their mission is to eliminate and prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect in Barry County.

New upright vacuum

Volunteers – office/administrative, website/data, Spanish interpreter, history/artifact

Contact Linda Maupin, 269-945-5439

 

 

Green Gables Haven – Barry County’s domestic violence shelter/program.

Toilet paper, paper towel, Lysol wipes

Laundry soap

Personal hygiene items

Contact Christy Durham, 269-804-6021

 

 

Habitat for Humanity Restore – A local thrift store where all items sold give back to the organization to continue building homes for families in need.

Gas cards to cover the cost of picking up items for the restore

Gift cards for office/cleaning supplies

Utility trailer

Volunteers to clean/organize the restore

SHOPPERS

Contact Kim Jansens, 269-948-9998

 

 

Hastings Public Library – A resource for our community including books, movies, magazines and their “library of things.”

Volunteers/donations to help digitize copies of the Hastings Banner dating back to 1856

Contact Peggy Hemerling, 269-945-4263

 

 

The Shack – A totally free clothing outreach available to anyone regardless of income or residency. Run completely on donations and volunteers.

New window blinds (3 windows)

New storm doors installed

Gift cards for printing needs/ink

Gift cards for local coffee sop

New underwear for clients

Winter gloves

Contact Kathy Forsyth, 269-207-2515

 

 

 

Thornapple Area Parks & Rec Commission – Provides all people with the opportunity to be active through affordable, safe and healthy recreational activities.

Small used tractor/mower for ball fields

Seamstress to repair zippers/straps on gear bags

New/used garage shelving for equipment storage shed

Contact Emily Dock, 616-450-1757

 

 

YMCA of Barry County – Provides youth development, healthy living and social responsibility opportunities for all.

Gas cards for “Y on the Fly” vans

Gloves and hats for kids at winter “Y on the Fly” stops

Volunteers for organizing B. Bus books

Life jackets for campers

Contact Jon Sporer, 269-945-4574

 

The United Way’s annual Backpack Program is fast approaching!  We are working with our local community to make sure that kiddos (grades K-12) are prepared to return to school with the supplies that they need.  This program allows children the opportunity to choose their own backpack and fill it with the essential items they will need for the classroom.

Please click HERE for more information on qualification and how families can register. Families must register with the Barry County United Way – we schedule appointment times for each family to ensure social distancing and privacy.

The COVID vaccine will also be available on-site to anyone 12 years of age and older.

Interested in donating? There are many collection sites around Barry County. View those by clicking HERE.

Thank you again for your help in getting the youth of Barry County ready for another amazing school year!

If you have any questions, please let us know.

 

It is that time of year when, we here at United Way, start to plan our annual Kick Off Events and Day of Caring projects!  While 2020 was a year to remember – with over 400 volunteers participating in both in person and “nontraditional” opportunities through Day of Caring – we want to make 2021 even bigger and better with your help.  Now more than ever, volunteers are eager to get involved and give back to our community.  This year’s event will kick-off with volunteer projects on Thursday, September 16^th after our IN PERSON campaign kickoff event and will continue on Saturday, September 18^th, 2021.

A wide variety of projects are needed from service organizations.  Our local volunteers always love Day of Caring events and have proven just how powerful a group can be in getting things done.  With that being said, plan your project carefully and ensure you have all the necessary supplies available on that day.  In past years we have needed additional last-minute projects to fill the need by volunteers – by increasing the number of projects these volunteers will be able to give back even more.

This year there are two different types of “projects.” We will continue with our IN PERSON projects, but we also will keep the addition of our Caring in Action VIRTUAL options as well.  Please note that the project form has two different pages showing the varying project choices.

If you need project ideas, please feel free to call the Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center at (269)945-4010.  Please submit your completed project descriptions no later than Friday, July 30, 2021.  You may submit more than one project description and we WILL be taking last minute projects after the deadline – the deadline is there so we can publish as many options as possible to volunteers from the beginning of registration.

We look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in an effort to strengthen our community through volunteerism and service, especially during times like this!

 

Barry County United Way launches Summer Stock Up food drive for local pantries

 

With Kellogg’s as a primary driver, United Ways across Michigan are participating in a first-ever statewide event to collect food in their areas throughout June.

 

Every year, food pantries across Barry County are fully stocked during the winter months thanks to generous holiday donations—but when summer comes, donations drop considerably and pantry shelves become sparse. This can leave low-income, hard-working families with limited options during this time of year.

 

Barry County United Way is asking local businesses and community members to participate in our “Summer Stock Up” event to restock local food pantries with items to get them through the warmer months.

 

Join United Way in bringing some cheer to local pantries this June!

 

Drop-off locations and dates/times:

 

Thursday, June 24^th from 9am-Noon

Barry Community Enrichment Center

231 S. Broadway in Hastings

 

We are asking that the community rally together to bring as many of the following items as possible: Boxed max & cheese, canned vegetables, boxes of cereal, canned fruit.

 

OR “shop your impact” online:

 

https://app.mobilecause.com/e/njoiqw?vid=ix057

 

Morgan Johnson, Director Outreach & Community Engagement, “It is truly amazing how far the dollar can stretch when we utilize partnerships – like with the South Michigan Food Bank.  Our local Fresh Food Initiative program is able to purchase food at 19 cents per pound through the Food Bank of South Central Michigan – meaning that for our program specifically, we are spending around $250 each week for a truck full of 8,000-10,000 pounds of food to distribute to almost 200 families total.”

 

 

How Summer Stock Up was born

 

The statewide Summer Stock Up event evolved out of the popular “Christmas in June” local food drive that was done annually by United Way of Southwest Michigan. In 2020, because of the pandemic, UWSM pivoted from an in-person food drop-off event to a virtual event that provided safe shopping options that allowed donors to “shop their impact” by giving online.

 

The success of “Christmas in June” caught the attention of Kellogg’s, and the corporation stepped in to help reconceptualize it as a statewide “Summer Stock Up.” As the premiere sponsor, Kellogg’s has been a leader in rallying 23 United Ways in Michigan to the cause. In-person and virtual versions of the event will be available depending on the needs and situations of each United Way.

 

Addressing food insecurity is critical

 

38 percent of Michigan households work but struggle to make ends meet.

27 percent of Barry County households live at or below the ALICE threshold.

 

Those households—whose incomes are above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living—are referred to as ALICE, which stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.”

 

Over the last decade, behind the veneer of a strong economy, conditions have actually worsened for thousands of families across Michigan—setting the stage for the dual health and economic crises of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why?

 

• The cost of living has been increasing for ALICE households.
• The economy is increasingly dominated by jobs with low wages and less security.
• The number of ALICE households in Michigan increased in response to the Great Recession and never fully recovered.

 

Much of United Way’s impact work is designed to help ALICE. Michigan United Ways report annually on ALICE data and analysis. For more information on how the Barry County United Way is working with our ALICE population, visit our website at www.bcunitedway.org

 

ABOUT Barry County United Way

 

The Barry County United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Barry County communities.  We understand that we cannot do this work alone and we strive to be in partnership with others around Barry County to create a stronger community for all.  Not only are we able to assist with allocating your investments directly back into local agencies, but we are also able to utilize State and local grants, designations and other funding to provide many programs directly through our office.  100% of your gift is making HOPE HAPPEN as your entire investment goes directly to local programs and services that are making a different in Barry County. Thanks to the Florence Tyden Gross Endowment, all administrative and fundraising expenses are covered. Thank you for being a part of the solution and choosing to LIVE UNITED.