Each week, United Way of Southwest Michigan releases a list of volunteer opportunities in the southwest Michigan area. To learn more about these opportunities, visit uwsm.org.

Help Berrien County

kids get school supplies 

United Way will be joining forces with Walmart, Honor Credit Union and the local law enforcement’s National Night Out event in Benton Harbor to get backpack supplies to children in Berrien County. On May 17 and 18, United Way will seek help to collect school supplies at Walmart. Come volunteer and help spread awareness at the event and run items to the school bus. Help United Way Stuff a School Bus for kids in need. For more information, or to sign up, volunteer.uwsm.org. 

Stock local food pantries

Every year, across southwest Michigan, food pantries see themselves fully stocked in the winter months and holiday season. However, when summer hits, food donations go down and their shelves are harder to keep stocked. United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Christmas in June event asks local businesses and community members to help stock local food pantries. On June 12, volunteers will help sort and assemble the donated food to prepare for delivery. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org

Toys for Tots seeking leader

Toys for Tots of Berrien County is looking for an organized, caring individual to help in north and south Berrien County during the Christmas Season. The local coordinator will have lots of help from the Marine Corps League in Stevensville to get drop boxes and other duties taken care of.  The new volunteer leader would help coordinate the relationship between the Toys for Tots Foundation in Quantico and make sure all the gifts get set for distribution. 

History center

seeking board member

Want to help plan programs, exhibits and more for The History Center at Courthouse Square? Come be a board member for The Berrien County Historical Association.  The Berrien County Historical Association is looking for energetic volunteers with an interest in local history from the North County area, Harbor Country and Niles. Board members meet monthly in January, March, June, August, September and November. Board members will also volunteer as needed with various programs, exhibits, etc. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org

Graphic design skills

can help the hungry

The Soup Kitchen of Benton Harbor is seeking a skilled graphic design volunteer with a good eye to help design a quarterly newsletter. Help the soup kitchen write articles, gather pictures and mail the newsletters. The volunteer must have a design program and own a computer. For more information, visit volunteer.uwsm.org