This September, we held our annual Day of Caring—our community’s largest corporate volunteer event! And for the first time since 2019, we brought back our volunteer appreciation luncheon. Learn how more than 425 volunteers from local companies contributed to real work with a real impact.

It takes a lot to get ready for the school year, and teachers, students, and families often struggle to afford back-to-school shopping. Our annual Stuff the Bus collection drive provides school and classroom supplies to those in need. Read more about how our community came together to support 15 Kent County schools this year.

Charity Navigator recognized Heart of West Michigan United Way with its top four-star rating for the seventh year in a row. Read more about what Charity Navigator is and what a four-star rating means.

Summer Stock Up is a statewide food drive through a partnership with Kellogg’s and United Ways across the state. Read more about how we helped stock the shelves at six local food pantries and kept West Michiganders fed all summer long.

22 veterans and their families, more than 300 community volunteers, and one purpose—to serve those who serve. Read about this year’s Operation United event and everyone who helped us support local veterans.

Giving their time to save the day—that’s what volunteer superheroes are all about! We all have the potential to help others in need and create a more equitable community. Learn more about our volunteers’ impact and how you can answer the call for help.

This year’s Bring the Basics drive was an incredible success—all thanks to the support from our community! Find out how many items we collected, how many people the drive helps, and how our partner agencies ensure those in need stay healthy.

To close out Women’s History Month, Suzanne Moody, Executive Assistant, gives insight into two African American women who have made history at the top of their fields. Read more about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Coach Niele Ivey in today’s blog.

March is Women’s History Month, and this blog by Brianne Robach, Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, introduces an intersectional discussion about women with disabilities and Black women. Make sure you check out the included links to hear directly from those with lived experience.

In honor of World Day of Social Justice this month, we recently released our annual Social Justice Guide for Kent County. Learn more about this day of awareness and how you can join the fight for social change in our community.

In a crisis, in a disaster, in a pandemic, 2-1-1 is here to help every person in our community find food, pay bills, and connect to other essential services. Learn more about our local call center and how you can access thousands of resources in West Michigan.

For this year’s MLK Day, Heart of West Michigan United Way staff volunteered for nonprofits across our community as “a day on, not a day off.” Read more about the projects we completed and how you can find ways to serve your community in 2022.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, this year’s Stuff the Sled drive served as an opportunity to spread joy to young children in need. Gifts benefited low-income students enrolled in Head Start for Kent County programs. Learn more about Stuff the Sled and the many people who made it a success.

For this year’s Giving Tuesday, we’re asking for donations to help us Stuff the Sled this holiday season. Learn more about our virtual collection drive and how you can spread joy to young students in our community.