Season of Caring

What is Season of Caring?

Support local schools, pantries, and shelters by joining Season of Caring by helping us fill food bags by participating in a Donation Drive coming later this year.

Thank You For Making 2023 Holiday Hope Bags A Great Success.  Check Out Our Video!

Season of Caring
How would you like to participate in Season of Caring?
Choose Your Donation Method
$ .00
After submitting this form please mail or drop off your payment to United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties: 302 S Bridge St. Belding. Do not mail cash.
$ .00
After submitting this form please mail or drop off your payment to United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties: 302 S Bridge St. Belding. Do not mail cash.
Credit Card Donation
Click HERE to make an online donation.
Help Fill The Bags!

Follow us on Facebook for food drop off locations.

For more information on that specific drive type.

What Are Hope Bags?

Holiday Hope Bags is an initiative to provide food-insecure students & home-bound seniors in Montcalm and Ionia counties with a week's worth of food during the Winter Holiday. As a majority of students rely on free school meals and after-school third-meal programs, the holiday season can add additional family stress by adjusting tight food budgets to accommodate the two weeks students are home during winter break. Hope Bags are here to support families to ensure that the winter holiday is a time to celebrate, relax, and focus on the new year ahead!

The Goal

United Way aims to support 1,200 Montcalm and Ionia county students and 200 home-bound seniors with a week's worth of meals for Winter Break. 

A $35 donation supports one student or home-bound senior with a Holiday Hope Bag. Please support the United Way with its goal of raising $38,000 to support every student in need.

365,358 Michigan Children Live in Poverty and another 580,761 live below the ALICE Threshold 

 

Over 500 students receive a third meal to take home every day in Montcalm and Ionia Counties 

 

Over 15 Summer Eat Up Meet Up programs to support daily meals for students during Summer Break

Holiday Hope Bags Grocery List 

All food donations must come from this pre-approved list. All donations must be nonperishable, unopened, and unexpired. 

  • Candy Canes
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Canned Soup (Chicken Noodle, etc.)
  • Canned Pasta (SpaghettiOs, etc.)
  • Spaghetti Noodles
  • 24 oz. Pasta Sauce (No glass jars)
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Instant Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Oatmeal (Packets)
  • Tuna Fish (Can / Packet)- Fulfilled
  • Gummy Fruit Snacks
  • Kool-Aid Packets
  • Apple Sauce (Cups)
  • Pancake Mix (Add Water)
  • Granola Bars
  • Dessert Mixes (Cookie / Brownie)
  • Muffin Mixes- Fulfilled
  • Hot Chocolate (Instant Packets)

Food Packing Event