The shelves are empty.  The need is great.  Hunger is an uncomfortable feeling and food is a necessity for living.  However, thanks to the help of several local companies, the St. Joseph County United Way was able to assist 300 local families.

The idea started several years ago when Morgan Olson’s Human Resource Director Steve Hart contacted the United Way offering turkeys and hams they had leftover from their employee giveaway.  “We order extra specifically for the United Way each year,” said Hart of the giving program.

This went on for years when the United Way would be Santa for up to 100 families, inviting them to stop in their office in Centreville to pick up their holiday meal.

But this year was different.  A call came in from Meijer store director, Jeff Carrico, asking Kelly Hostetler, Executive Director of the St. Joseph County United Way, if there was anything they could do to help local families.  “We realized there was a larger need this year and we wanted to pitch in if there was something already in place.”   Carrico had no idea the excitement he had created.

Next came another call into the United Way.  “We want to do something to help,” says Jeff Romig, Corporate Strategic Development Director at Armstrong International.  He had just seen the recent 211 call report and recognized that the number one need in St. Joseph County in November was people calling needing help with food.

Hostetler went to work.  With over $4,000 in donations; turkeys, dinner rolls, stuffing and canned vegetables were assembled for holiday meals.   The only item they were missing was the mashed potatoes!

A quick call to Fresh Solution Farms, the potato processing plant in White Pigeon, quickly solved that dilemma.  Greg Salisbury, General Manager of the plant, graciously donated 300 10# bags of spuds to round out the food boxes.   “We want to be a partner in the community,” said Salisbury. “It’s important in our business culture that we help.”

Hostetler, along with volunteers and staff, made the trips to pick up the food and assemble the food baskets.

She worked with Department of Human Services and received a list of families who needed food.  The families were mailed letters and invited to stop at the United Way office to pick up their food boxes.

The fun began on Thursday morning (December 17th), at 8 a.m. as families began to overwhelm the small United Way office.

Kaitlynn Shultz, Campaign Assistant, works part time for United Way while she attends college full time. She assisted in the coordination of the program.

The St. Joseph County United Way serves agencies, and leaves the direct services to the agencies.   “They are the experts,”  says Hostetler.

But in this case, it’s different.  This is the only direct program the United Way does.  “It’s kind of like our office Christmas party,” says Hostetler.  “We enjoy giving out these gifts and realize we’re helping families.”

Kaitlynn Shultz, Campaign Assistant, works part time for United Way while she attends college full time.   She assisted in the coordination of the program.

Hostetler spoke of one of the families who stopped into the office, “we gave the 3 year old little boy a pair of gloves that was donated by Ayres Insurance.   His father put them on his hands and he looked at that little boy and said, Merry Christmas, honey.”

“Giving is what makes this time of year so special.  We are a small office, but we want to think we help in big ways,” stated Hostetler.

Pictured is Kaitlynn Schultz, campaign assistant, for the St. Joseph County United Way.

For more information about our local agencies, you may call the United Way office at 269-467-9099, or 211.