United Way Of Southwest Michigan Launches Christmas In June Food Drive

xmasinjune1
xmasinjune1

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has begun its annual Christmas in June food drive. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News the agency collects food for 38 pantries around southwest Michigan each June when they see need go up.

“During this time of year, the shelves get really low because most people give over the Christmas holidays,” Tomshack said. “That’s why we created the event four years ago. This year, we decided to do it all as a digital food drive.”

This time, the United Way of Southwest Michigan has set up digital shopping baskets and carts for donors to select. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can buy different bundles that will go to food pantries.

“For example, a $10 shopping basket purchases 20 items, which will provide 13 meals for a family of four, and that should last them about three days. If you go with the highest end shopping cart, which is $150, that will purchase 4022 items.”

And there are several levels in between. Tomshack says this is safer than the usual food drive, and it also allows the United Way to make targeted purchases based on the needs of individual pantries. Christmas in June runs throughout the month at a time when many families are hurting due to the pandemic. You can make a donation right here.