Not only do we exist to support the financial wellbeing of individuals, families, small businesses, and communities in Michigan, but we also serve as an engine of member and community wellbeing. Guided by our four purpose statements, we work to connect people and resources to enhance the quality of life for people in our state. To do this, we worked with various nonprofit partners to identify areas of need and opportunities where we could help.
In addition to our volunteer efforts, we also donated a total of $28,500 among the nonprofits we served.
Organizations like Brilliant Detroit are helping to close the literacy gap for students in Michigan communities. During Powered By Good Day, 27 team members volunteered to virtually record themselves reading a book and share this recording with Brilliant Detroit. Virtual learning opportunities help youth with reading comprehension, assist with their education, and increase confidence.
Spending time outdoors and in nature can also increase mental wellbeing and promote family and community connection. Recognizing the benefits of having a safe space to learn, play, and grow, our team helped clean and sanitize the playground at Alpha House in Ann Arbor and at Family Promise of Barry County in Hastings.
To further support learning and outdoor activities, some team members volunteered at the Howell Nature Center to help maintain and preserve the grounds at the Cultural Education Global Village. Instructors at the Howell Nature Center provide educational programs to help children become future leaders of environmental stewardship and conservation.2 With more knowledge about natural resources, wildlife, and the environmental impact of our actions, we can work together to preserve the beauty of Michigan for future generations.
Hunger continues to remain a prevalent issue in our communities. A fluctuating job market and changes in household finances added to this issue and more than 38 million people faced hunger in the United States in 2020, including more than 12 million children.
To help provide more healthy, nutritious meals to those in need, we harvested food and prepped the community gardens at Allen Neighborhood Center and the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Prepping the garden for winter at Love In Action in Grand Haven normally takes the agency about a week to do. In just four hours, our team had the area ready for a new season.
We also volunteered to unload, sort, and organize food donations at Saline Area Social Services, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, and the following organizations:
It’s important to routinely shred outdated documents that contain personal or sensitive information. If this information is thrown away, it could end up in the wrong hands and increases the risk of identity theft. But destroying documents can be a time-consuming task. To help our members and the community protect their information, we hosted a community shred event at our Downtown Lansing branch.
In total, we shredded 6,000 pounds of paper and recycled every piece.
In exchange for utilizing the industrial shred service, we asked people to consider donating to Meals For Michigan. The donations from this day totaled enough to provide 1,850 meals to those in need!
According to the most recent ALICE Report from the United Way, 13 percent of Michigan households live below the poverty line and another 25 percent live below the ALICE threshold.4 ALICE (Assent Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households have an income above the federal poverty line but still struggle to make ends meet and afford basic necessities, like food, clothing, housing, childcare, technology, health care, and transportation.
This is why local nonprofit organizations are so essential. By offering programs and assisting with basic needs, community nonprofits are essential to helping struggling households on the path to self-sufficiency. These organizations often rely on donations from the community. Knowing that it takes valuable time to sort and organize donations, our team pitched in at Love Inc. in Howell; Salvation Army in Lansing; Michigan Foster Care Closet in Plymouth; Community Action House in Holland; Neighborhood House Closet in Rochester Hills; Second Chance Support Network in Brighton; and Haven House in East Lansing.
The economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far from over. As we ease back into our normal routines, it’s important to remember that there are still many unmet needs in our communities. Whether you volunteer for one hour or 1,000 hours, your efforts matter and make a difference in the life of someone who needs help in your neighborhood.
That’s the power in all of us.