HELP FEED MUSKEGON
Not sure where to turn for food support? 2-1-1 is the easiest and most reliable place to start. It’s a free, confidential service that connects you to local food resources that fit your situation.
Why Call or Visit 2-1-1:
Personalized Help — Not Just a List
They match you with the right option based on your needs: emergency food, ongoing assistance, senior meals, kids’ programs, mobile pantries, delivery services, cultural or dietary needs, SNAP/Bridge Card help, and more.Local & Up-to-Date Information
2-1-1 tracks pantry hours, eligibility, and locations in real time so you don’t waste time or gas.More Than Food
They can also connect you to housing help, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other support.Available 24/7
Free, judgment-free support by phone, text, or online — with translation in 200+ languages.
Skip the guesswork. Call 2-1-1 or visit their website to find the best food resources near you.
Where To Find Help - 211
2-1-1 is the most reliable way to find food help that is local, accurate, and tailored to your situation—without judgment and without confusion.
Support The Response Fund Today!
When our community faces crisis, the United Response Fund is how we act quickly—together.
This fund supports emergent needs and local response efforts during times of adversity. Dollars are directed to trusted local nonprofits, churches, and school systems that are on the ground helping individuals and families when it matters most.
Right now, our top priority is hunger.
Funds are currently being used to support food access, distribution efforts, response teams, and organizations helping families facing food insecurity.
Once the immediate needs have been met, any remaining funds are reserved for the next community emergency—so we are always prepared to respond with compassion, speed, and impact.
Want to Donate Food? Check Pantry Needs First:
Many of our local food pantries have shared shopping lists of what they actually need to restock their shelves — and you can view them with the button below.
While financial donations go the furthest (since pantries can often stretch $1 into several meals through their nonprofit and wholesale partners), we know that sometimes it’s easier to pick up items while you’re already out shopping. That’s why we’ve made it simple to check real-time pantry needs.
Before you donate, take a look at the pantry lists to see exactly what items are most needed — whether that’s canned proteins, baby formula, hygiene products, or shelf-stable meals. This helps make sure your generosity goes exactly where it’s needed most.
Businesses: Partner With Us to Support Our Community
Looking for a meaningful way for your company to get involved? We’d love to work with you.
There are several high-impact ways businesses can support this effort, including:
Mass transportation for food and supplies
Storage solutions – refrigerated or non-refrigerated
In-kind donations of goods or services
Employee volunteer time and skilled support
Financial contributions to help sustain and scale our response
If your business is interested in helping, please reach out. Send us a message, and a member of our team will connect with you to explore how we can make a difference together.
Hunger Relief Mini-Grants
United Way of the Lakeshore is offering two mini-grant opportunities to support hunger-relief efforts in our community. Both funds are designed to strengthen existing programs that are already serving neighbors in need — not to launch new initiatives.
Please review the information below to determine which fund best fits your program. If you still aren’t sure, reach out and we’re happy to help you figure it out.
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These mini-grants support existing hunger-relief programs serving individuals and families in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Eligible Applicants
501(c)(3) nonprofits
Schools and educational institutions
Government agencies
Faith-based organizations
Applicants must already be operating a hunger-relief program, such as:
Food pantries and distribution sites
Soup kitchens and community meal programs
Food box or meal prep efforts
Mobile food distribution
Gardens or growing programs with existing distribution
Food storage, recovery, packing, or processing tied to food access
New programs or start-up ideas are not eligible.
How Funds Can Be Used
Funds can be used for needs tied directly to food access, including:
Food purchases
Program supplies and equipment (e.g., shelving, coolers, packaging)
Transportation or delivery costs
Volunteer or staffing support connected to hunger-relief activities
Infrastructure or capacity improvements that help keep food flowing
Application & Timeline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Organizations may reapply once funds are spent and a short report is submitted.
The fund will remain open until all resources are distributed or the program is closed.
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Funded through the Muskegon County Senior Millage, these mini-grants support existing hunger-relief programs serving adults age 60 and older who live in Muskegon County.
Eligible Applicants
501(c)(3) nonprofits
Schools and educational institutions
Government agencies
Faith-based organizations
Applicants must already be operating a senior-focused hunger-relief program, such as:
Senior food pantries
Congregate meal programs
Home-delivered or take-home meals
Food boxes or meal prep efforts for seniors
Senior-focused distribution or delivery services
Gardens or growing programs that distribute food to seniors
New programs or start-up ideas are not eligible.
Programs must clearly serve Muskegon County residents age 60+.How Funds Can Be Used
Funds can be used for needs tied directly to senior food access, including:
Food purchases for senior meals or pantry distributions
Supplies and equipment (e.g., containers, cold storage, mobility-friendly equipment)
Transportation and delivery costs, including mileage or accessible transportation
Volunteer or staffing support connected to senior food access
Infrastructure that supports safe, consistent food access for older adults
Additional Reporting Requirements
Because this fund is supported by the Muskegon County Senior Millage, funded organizations must collect:
Birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY) for each senior served
Municipality of residence (city/township/village) within Muskegon County
This information is used for required millage reporting and helps demonstrate the impact of senior services across the county.
If your organization does not currently collect this information, United Way of the Lakeshore can help you set up a simple, secure intake or tracking system.
Application & Timeline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Organizations may reapply once funds are spent and a short report is submitted.
The fund will remain open until all Senior Millage funds dedicated to this effort are distributed or the program is closed.
Volunteer to Fight Hunger in Our Community!
Looking to make a difference? Explore local volunteer opportunities that support food access and hunger relief.
On this page, you’ll find a variety of ways to help — from sorting food and packing meal boxes to distributing groceries or supporting pantry operations.
Some opportunities allow you to sign up for a shift right away.
Others will connect you directly with the organization so you can learn more about their work and find the best way to get involved.
Whether you have an hour, a team of coworkers, or special skills to share, your time can help put food on the table for families in need.
Are you a nonprofit who needs help or wants to be listed? Enter a support ticket today and a member from our team will be able to assist you shortly.
Advocate for
Food Security
Your Voice Matters
Not all solutions happen in a pantry or warehouse—some happen when people speak up.
Advocacy is a powerful way to create long-term change. By lending your voice, you can help protect food assistance programs, support local families, and ensure decision-makers understand the real needs in our community.
Whether it’s signing a petition, contacting your elected officials, sharing your story, or staying informed about policy changes, there are simple ways to get involved and make an impact.
When we speak together, we are harder to ignore. Explore advocacy opportunities and help shape a community where no one goes hungry.
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I am urging you to take immediate action to ensure that SNAP benefits continue during the federal government shutdown.
More than 1.4 million Michiganders rely on SNAP for essential food support. USDA contingency funds may only cover about half of standard monthly benefits for a limited time, leaving families, children, seniors, and veterans at immediate risk of hunger.
Please:
Urge the administration to release any available funds necessary to continue SNAP without interruption, and
Work toward a bipartisan, long-term funding solution to end the shutdown and restore stability for families.
Access to food is a basic necessity. Our communities cannot wait.
For local support and ways to help, visit help.feedmuskegon.org
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I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect Michigan families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for essential food support. As the federal government shutdown continues, approximately 1.4 million Michiganders are at risk of losing access to SNAP benefits. This threatens to significantly increase food insecurity at a time when food banks and community partners are already facing strain and uncertainty.
Recent court orders have required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use contingency funds to maintain SNAP operations; however, it is unclear when these funds will be released or how long they will be sufficient. As of November 3, the USDA has indicated that families may receive only about half of their standard monthly benefit, and even that reduced support is expected to last only a few weeks. Without action, many families, children, seniors, and veterans will face an immediate crisis.
I respectfully ask that you:
Urge the administration to release any available funds necessary to continue SNAP benefits without interruption, and
Work toward a bipartisan, long-term funding solution to end the shutdown and restore stability for families and communities.
Basic nutrition is not optional. Our communities cannot afford further delays or uncertainty.
For those seeking more information, support, or ways to help locally, please visit help.feedmuskegon.org to find resources or attend a local pantry event.
Thank you for your attention and leadership during this critical time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, Michigan]
Contact us.
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