Although summer seems to officially have made its way to southwest Michigan, for many less fortunate families throughout the region, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Similar to the holiday season when underprivileged families are struggling to make ends meet with colder temperatures and more expenses, many families are beginning to wonder how they will feed their families full-time in the coming weeks.

As students enter the summer vacation, families will need to find more food to replace the meals students were receiving through school lunches and breakfasts.

Luckily for these families, United Way of Southwest Michigan has embraced the Christmas spirit halfway through the year.

To help fill shelves vacated as the winter stock depletes, United Way hosts Christmas in June each year. For the project, local businesses and organizations pledge to collect 100 items or more in a given category (i.e. cereal, canned fruit, soaps, etc.).

This year, Leader Publications has committed to collecting 100 pantry staples. Through June 20, we will collect seasonings, flour, sugar, pancake mix, oil, etc. at our Niles office, at 217 N. Fourth St.

We welcome donations from the community, all of which will help those less fortunate throughout Berrien and Cass counties.

Donations collected throughout southwest Michigan will be delivered to various food pantries throughout the two counties, including local pantries at:

• Faith Victory Church, 13369 Main St., Buchanan

• Red Bud Ministry, 708 Red Bud Trail, Buchanan

• Helping Hands of Cass County, 130 S Broadway St. Cassopolis

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 306 Courtland St., Cassopolis

• Action Ministries, 301 Main St., Dowagiac

• First Christian Church, 201 Oak St., Dowagiac

• Our Lady of the Lake, 24832 US-12, Edwardsburg

• Christian Service Center, 322 Clay St., Niles

• First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles

• Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 528 Ferry St., Niles

• Salvation Army – Niles, 424 N 15th St., Niles

Southwest Michigan is so fortunate to have an organization like United Way to connect residents with resources in their time of need. We are excited and honored to join this organization in its efforts and share a little holiday cheer all year long.

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700 or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com