Basic Needs – United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

Ensure that our regional community has a safety net in place to help individuals and families access basic necessities during times of need. Our regional 2-1-1 received more than 10,000 calls in 2015 for utility assistance alone. Assistance with obtaining basic needs continues to be within the top five unmet needs in our community.

Having a strong safety net in the region allows low-income and homeless people and their families move past crisis situations. Furthermore, without identification, transportation, child care assistance, and mental health supports, many people cannot access the services they need.

Provisions of hot meals, food pantries, and mobile food programming.

Emergency shelter and utility assistance for those in need.

Identification assistance, clothing provisions, disaster relief, transportation, and childcare assistance.