United Way and DTE partner to raise funds for Feeding America food trucks

By Brandon Schreur | on April 14, 2020 | The Daily News

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues over the coming weeks following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, families and community members may need help.

Volunteers for United Way and Feeding America work together to deliver food to those in need at a food distribution event in March at Greenville High School. — DN Photo | Cory Smith

“We’re just starting to really see the need, honestly,” United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties Executive Director Terri Legg said. “Forty-nine percent of people between the two counties struggle to make enough for basic needs before COVID-19 hit. We know that, of that 49 percent, 43 percent of them don’t have a rainy day fund, so to speak.”

To help meet some of those needs — whether they be food, childcare or other essential services — United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties launched a COVID-19 crisis fund to ensure resources in times of instability.

All of the donations to the COVID-19 Crisis Fund stays local to Montcalm and Ionia counties to support basic needs.

“The need is immediate,” Legg said. “It’s huge. We’re at the point where bank accounts are starting to run out and unemployment continues to grow. It will probably become greater, too.”

Wanting to assist United Ways in their efforts, the DTE Energy Foundation announced that they would match all donations to the Michigan Association of United Ways and Michigan Community Action.

The DTE Energy Foundation is a division of DTE Energy that promotes growth and prosperity in Michigan communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress.

The donation match began on March 31 and lasted through April 13, with the DTE Energy Foundation matching individual donations up to $5,000 a person.

“This is a crisis unlike any we’ve seen in our generation and the demands on non-profits across the state are unprecedented,” Jerry Norcia, president and CEO of DTE Energy, said in a press release. “We understand that not everyone is able to donate during this time; but for those who are, we want to double the impact of their contribution. The DTE Foundation has been there for the people of Michigan for decades, and we’ll be here during these difficult times to help our great state weather this crisis.”

According to Legg, the money from the COVID-19 Crisis Fund and the DTE Energy Foundation is going towards organizing food distribution and drop-offs with Feeding America trucks in Montcalm and Ionia counties.

“Right now, we have 42 food trucks over the course of six weeks that are going out,” she said. “Based on the amount of funds that we receive, we’re determining what that’s going to continuing to look like. With the governor extending the stay at home order, I’d guess we’ll have to extend beyond 42.”

While Legg was unsure how much money DTE Energy Foundation is projected to match, she estimates that United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties’ COVID-19 Crisis Fund has so far raised approximately $87,000.

Working with organizations like the DTE Energy Foundation or others who are willing to donate to the fund, Legg says, is something that United Way takes great pride in.

“I think it speaks volumes to what community is really about,” she said. “A national crisis fund is one thing, but there’s a large amount of people who are donating because they want to help local people. The amount of people who have given, whether they’re donating $5 or $5,000 — it all makes a huge impact, locally. We can’t do this without those volunteers, whether they’re on the front-lines or they’re volunteers who are able to donate to the crisis fund.”

While the DTE Energy Foundation matching partnership has come to an end, United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties is still accepting donations to the COVID-19 Crisis Fund.

Visit liveunitedm-i.org more information or to donate.

Those in need of support who can’t make it to a food distribution can call 211 for additional assistance.

“Calling 211 is the best way for support if folks can’t get to a food truck so that we can arrange for a family delivery,” Legg explained. “We also owe a lot to our partners. Some of them — for example, Greenville Public Schools, Belding Public Schools, Tri County or Saranac — are giving us the space of their parking lots for food distribution. It takes a number of community partners to make this all work.”

LOCAL FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE

Here is the current Feeding America food truck schedule organized by Ionia-Montcalm United Way:

• April 14: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.

• April 14: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main Street, Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.

• April 16: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen 11 a.m. to noon.

• April 16: Save A Lot, Stanton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• April 18: Tri County High School, 21338 Kendaville Road, Howard City, 1 to 2 p.m.

• April 20: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest, 3 to 4 p.m.

• April 21: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.

• April 21: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main Street, Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.

• April 23: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen 11 a.m. to noon.

• April 24: Belding High School, 850 Hall Street, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• April 25: Tri County High School, 21338 Kendaville Road, Howard City, 1 to 2 p.m.

• April 27: Greenville High School, 111 N. Hillcrest, 3 to 4 p.m.

• April 27: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant Street, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• April 28: Ionia Fairgrounds, 4 to 5 p.m.

• April 28: Endeavor Center, 302 W. Main Street, Edmore, 5 to 6 p.m.

• April 30: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen 11 a.m. to noon.

• April 30: Save A Lot, Stanton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• May 1: Belding High School, 850 Hall Street, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• May 2: Tri County High School, 21338 Kendaville Road, Howard City, 1 to 2 p.m.

• May 7: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen 11 a.m. to noon.

• May 11: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant Street, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• May 14: Central Montcalm High School, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• May 25: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant Street, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• May 28: Central Montcalm High School, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• June 8: Saranac High School, 150 Pleasant Street, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• June 11: Central Montcalm High School, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

• June 25: Central Montcalm High School, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.