SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — United Way of Southwest Michigan’s annual Christmas in June food drive for local pantries has kicked off, and four area companies — Indiana Michigan Power, an AEP Company; Gast Manufacturing; Spectrum Health Lakeland; and Whirlpool Corporation have accepted a challenge to collect the most items by June 12.

Every year, food pantries across southwest Michigan are fully stocked in the winter months thanks to generous holiday donations — but when summer comes, donations drop dramatically and pantry shelves become sparse. This can leave low-income, hard-working families with limited options during this time of year. So, for the third year in a row, United Way of Southwest Michigan asks local businesses and community members to participate in our Christmas in June event to stock local food pantries with items to get them through the warmer months.

Charlotte Becker, director of the annual campaign at United Way of Southwest Michigan, said the nonprofit was excited to see the community step up to the challenge.

“Addressing food insecurity is year-round work,” Becker said. “This event is a great opportunity for everyone to make a big difference in the everyday lives of people in need. We are thrilled that Whirlpool, AEP, Spectrum, and Gast are competing to take our impact on the community to new levels.”

Scott Kerns, president of Gast Manufacturing, said the effort aligns with the company’s mission

“One of our core values at Gast is heritage,” Kerns said. “Over the past 100 years we have built this heritage in our local community and we have always strived to give back to it. Now we lay down a challenge to Whirlpool, AEP, and Spectrum to see who can match up to Gast for the Christmas in June food drive challenge. In the end, the real winner will be our community, so we all may continue to build a great heritage in our area. Let the games begin!”

Toby Thomas, Indiana Michigan Power president and COO, echoed this sentiment.

“Helping people in need is who we are at Indiana Michigan Power,” Thomas said. “The United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Christmas in June event speaks to the need to help our neighbors each and every day because we know food donations historically decline in the summer months. We want to make sure local families across southwest Michigan can still go to food pantries this summer and see shelves stocked. To help boost the amount of help and food goods available, our employees are challenging Whirlpool, Gast, and Spectrum this year to see who can raise more. We know they will put up a good fight, but we will power through to victory and in the end those in need will win.”

Another competition challenger, Spectrum Health Lakeland President Loren B. Hamel, M.D, said they look forward to giving back.

“We’re proud to support the Christmas in June program and United Way of Southwest Michigan,” Hamel said. “Taking great care of our community is what we do each and every day, and we believe that by donating to local pantries we can fight hunger and help promote health for families in need.”

Finally, Marc Bitzer, the Whirlpool Corporation Chairman and CEO, said the company was happy to help. 

“We are invested in our community and in the United Way,” Bitzer said. “If creating a friendly competition between AEP, Spectrum, Gast, and Whirlpool brings visibility to the needs of local food shelters, then it’s game time. When our community wins, we all win.” 

To sign up to collect items, donate to a local pantry, or volunteer to sort and count items, interested parties can visit uwsm.org/christmas-in-june.

The main drop sites for participating companies on June 12 only are:

• First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph

• Berrien Co. Youth Fairgrounds Youth Memorial Building, 9122 US HWY 31, Berrien Springs

For community members looking to get involved, drop off items any time before June 12 at:

• United Federal Credit Union at:

2819 S. State St., St. Joseph

724 East Napier Ave., Benton Harbor

5611 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville

9097 US 31, Berrien Springs

123 Sycamore St., Niles

2100 S. 11th St., Niles

808 E. Front St., Buchanan

• Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union — 507 E. Main St., Niles, 1050 E. State St., Cassopolis, 68925 M-62, Suite A, Edwardsburg

Local pantries receiving donations from Christmas in June:

• Benton Harbor Street Ministry, Benton Harbor

• Catholic Community Center, Benton Harbor

• Emergency Shelter Services, Benton Harbor

• Fairplain Presbyterian Church, Benton Harbor

• First Church of God Food Co-op, Benton Harbor

• First Presbyterian Church, Benton Harbor

• The Avenue/Harbor House Day Services, Benton Harbor

• Seventh Day Adventist, Benton Harbor

• SMCAA, Benton Harbor

• St. Augustine of Canterbury, Benton Harbor

• The Salvation Army, Benton Harbor

• Neighbor to Neighbor, Berrien Springs

• United Methodist Church, Berrien Springs

• Woodland Shores Baptist Church, Bridgman

• Faith Victory Church, Buchanan

• Red Bud Ministry, Buchanan

• Helping Hands of Cass County, Cassopolis

• Coloma United Methodist Church, Coloma

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Dowagiac

• Action Ministries, Dowagiac

• First Christian Church, Dowagiac

• Our Lady of the Lake, Edwardsburg

• Marcellus United Methodist Church, Marcellus

• Christian Service Center, Niles

• First Presbyterian Church, Niles

• Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles

• Salvation Army, Niles

• First Apostolic Church, Sawyer

• Blue Roof Church, St. Joseph

• Road to Hope, St. Joseph

• Seventh Day Adventist, St. Joseph

• Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry, Three Oaks

• Watervliet Free Methodist Church, Watervliet

• The Avenue/Cora Lamping Center, Benton Harbor