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, for their areas throughout June.
Every year, food pantries across Northeast Michigan are fully stocked in 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.
United Way of Northeast Michigan asks 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 us in bringing some cheer to local pantries this June 1st through June 25th.
OUR LOCAL DROP OFF AREAS:
- Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet
- Dean Arbour Ford
- Alpena Buick GMC
- McInerney Automotive: Dodge Chrysler
- Mid Michigan Medical Center
- Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet
- Dean Arbour Ford
- Alpena Buick GMC
- McInerney Automotive: Dodge Chrysler
- Mid Michigan Medical Center
LOCAL PANTRIES WE'RE SUPPORTING
- The Salvation Army of Alpena
- St. Vincent DePaul
- Grace Lutheran Little Pantry
- Trinity Episcopal Sunday Supper Pantry
- Sunrise Food Pantry - Hubbard Lake
- The Salvation Army of Alpena
- St. Vincent DePaul
- Grace Lutheran Little Pantry
- Trinity Episcopal Sunday Supper Pantry
- Sunrise Food Pantry - Hubbard Lake
You can also make a donation if you would prefer by contacting our office at (989) 354-2221, or stopping by our office at 108 Water St. in Downtown Alpena.
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 re-conceptualize 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.
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.