Needs From: United Way of Southwest Michigan

Why? Patients and individuals in a variety of settings can sometimes feel scared, anxious or lonely.   Something as simple as a warm blanket can help provide them with care, comfort and warmth.    

Easy-to-make no-sew blankets are a great way to get your team involved in an always-needed service project.  Your group can purchase supplies on your own or United Way can organize a project for you.  Contact us for details. 

Basic Self-Care/Hygiene Package

Many local agencies field requests from a variety of individuals and families for help with basic items that enable them to stay a bit more healthy.   

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?

 

Supplies needed:

Shampoo Bar of Soap Toothbrush Toothpaste Deodorant Tissues

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Self-Care/Hygiene Package

Sometimes individuals and families can use more than just the basic hygiene supplies. While still keeping cost in mind, this care package provides a little bit more to those in need.   

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?

 

Supplies needed:

Shampoo Conditioner Bar of Soap Toothbrush Toothpaste Deodorant Tissues Lotion Toilet Paper Chapstick

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Being a woman can be hard. Being a woman struggling financially is even harder. Menstrual products are expensive, and many women don’t have the funds to properly care for themselves. 

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs

 

Supplies needed:

Tampons Pads Razor Shower Gel Lotion Tissues Chocolate or other snack item 

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Baby Care Package

The first few years of a little one’s life are exciting… and costly. Baby care packages help families with the costs associated with some basic baby needs.    

Did you know....
There are approximately 3,100 births annually in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
Diapers are not covered by WIC?

 

Supplies needed:

Diapers (a variety of sizes are requested) Wipes Pacifier Toy Outfit/Onesie – gender neutral (a variety of sizes are requested) Rattle

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

New Mom Care Package

Having a new baby is hard…And it’s even harder for families that are struggling financially. This new mom care package provide a little bit of relief for parents during a time that should be joyful (and a tad bit sleep-deprived). There’s a little something for baby and a little something for the new mom, too. 

Did you know....
There are approximately 3,100 births annually in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
Diapers are not covered by WIC?

 

Supplies Needed:

Diapers Baby Wipes Baby Wash Petroleum Jelly Lotion Journal Tissues Shampoo Toothpaste Toothbrush

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Birthday Care Package 

Do you remember the excitement when your birthday approached?   It was a big day, right?  For many local families, birthdays bring disappointment instead of excitement.   The costs associated with things that so many of us take for granted…. A birthday cake and candles…..can be too expensive for many local families.   A birthday care package helps bring a bit more joy and celebration back to the occasion.    

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?
16.9% of children under the age of 18 are food insecure in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?

 

Supplies needed:

Cake Mix Frosting Small bottle of cooking oil Candles Pan Bowl Card

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Children’s Overnight Care Package

Sometimes home isn’t safe and you need to go somewhere else in a hurry.  You don’t have time (or room) to pack everything you need.   A children’s overnight care package helps provide some necessities to boys and girls from newborn to age 18.  

 

Supplies needed:

Diapers (a variety of sizes are requested) Underwear - new in package (a variety of sizes are requested) Pajamas - new with tags (a variety of sizes are requested) Socks - new with tags (a variety of sizes are requested) Blanket Age appropriate book Activity Book Crayons Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo Body Wash – bottle

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Cleaning Care Package

Imagine getting a new place to live…but not having the money to make sure it looks nice all the time. A package like the cleaning care package can help those who can’t afford some basic household necessities.  

 

Supplies Needed:

All-purpose cleaner Rags Dustpan Boom Toilet cleaner Toilet paper Kitchen towel

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Emergency Car Care Package

Remember how you felt when you got your first car? Maybe it was brand new or maybe it was “a beater with a heater.” Either way, once you went on the road you ran the risk of experiencing an issue and potentially needing help. Having a kit of items to use in case of an emergency should be on every driver’s list of necessities. 

 

Supplies needed:

Flashlight Batteries for flashlight Gas card Blanket Water Snacks

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box.

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Girl’s Athletic Care Package

Encouraging young girls to live healthier lives and take care of themselves is at the heart of several local organizations. The costs associated with leading active lifestyles are sometimes too much for some families. Care packages focused on providing girls with basic athletic wear will go a long way to help some of these young girls out.  

Did you know....
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

 

Supplies needed:

Socks Bra or supportive camisole Shorts Hair ties

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Homeless Care Package

Help keep those experiencing homelessness warm and cared for with a package focused on some of their basic needs.   

Did you know....
More than 1,200 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

Supplies needed:

Winter gloves Reusable water bottle Socks Flashlight with batteries Hand warmers Soap Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo Deodorant Chapstick

 

Assemble each in an easy-to-carry waterproof cinch bag. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Food for the Homeless

Easy-to-access foods are incredibly needed for those experiencing homelessness. Providing them with snacks and proteins that don’t require tools to open is a huge help to them.  

Did you know....
More than 1,200 children experience homelessness OR don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
16.9% of children under the age of 18 are food insecure in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties?
40% of households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties struggle to afford their basic needs?
57% of children in Berrien county, and 39% of children in Cass and Van Buren counties live in households who cannot afford the basic necessities?

 

Supplies needed:

Pudding cups Individual peanut butter packages Water bottle Beef jerky Fruit cups Can opener Granola bars Canned sausage Peanut butter crackers

Assemble each in an easy-to-carry cinch bag. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Literacy Care Package

One of the first steps in helping children read is providing them with books and other tools. This literacy care package can help get them on the right track. 

Did you know....
60% of 3rd graders in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties are not reading proficiently?

 

Supplies Needed:

Age-appropriate book Flash cards Exercise notebooks Pencils Pencil case Eraser

 Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Nature Care Package

Kids spend so much time on their electronic devices and are increasingly missing out on opportunities to enjoy the beauty around them. This care package encourages them to learn more about the amazing natural areas around us.  

 

Supplies Needed:

Magnifying glass Gloves Nature identification book

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

New Home Care Package

Individuals and families who are transitioning into a new place that they can call their own often struggle with some of the basic furnishings that make that home “Home.” This care package includes items that every home needs. 

 

Supplies Needed:

Small lamp Broom Silverware Dishes Can opener Whisk Kitchen towels Mugs Glasses Oven mitts Dish soap Mixing bowl Small pots & pans

Assemble each care package in a laundry basket. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Patient Care Package

Our neighbors who are battling conditions that may harm them often ask for small things to help them while undergoing treatment or care. Why not put together some patient care packages to help show a little love to those who could use some extra care?

 

Supplies Needed:

Hat Blanket Activity book Pen Hand sanitizer Lotion Tissues Reusable Water bottle

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.

Sensory Care Packages

Sensory packages provide mental, emotional, physical, and social benefits for children. They stimulate the brain, helping to create new neural pathways for processing, understanding, and reacting to sensory information.

Supplies needed:

Pop toys and/or pop tubesFidget spinnerSensory necklaceSensory SlugKids ear protection/noise cancelling headphones 

Assemble each care package in its own nice bag or gift box. 

Respond to this need and a member from the UWSM volunteer team will contact you.