The Lakeshore Resource Network organizations are gearing up for the holiday season this year. With multiple agencies under the same roof, there are quite a few opportunities for the community to get involved this time of year. From donations, to gifts and volunteering, the agencies of the LRN offer something that will fit everyone perfectly.
Support Lakeshore Resource Network Agencies this season:
Meijer Double Match for Lakeshore Food Club
When: Friday, December 13
Where: Meijer in Ludington
What: Meijer customers can multiply their donations to the Lakeshore Food Club by participating in Meijer’s Double Match Day. For every $10 donation card that is purchased, Meijer will give $20, resulting in a $30 donation to the LFC.
Lakeshore Food Club December Monthly Donation Item
When: Month of December
Where: Lakeshore Food Club
What: The Lakeshore Food Club’s Monthly Donation Item for December is warm drinks. This can include hot cocoa mix, hot cider mix, coffee, tea and anything warm. Donations can be dropped off to the LFC during business hours.
Starving Artist Private Brewer Experience Auction
When: Now to December 18
Where: https://www.auctria.com/auction/starvingartistfoodclubbrew
What: Looking for that perfect gift for the craft beer enthusiast? Bid to win a craft beer experience with Starving Artist Brewing! The auction winner will spend the day with Andy Thomas at Starving Artist and help craft a beer that will be featured at an upcoming event benefitting the Lakeshore Food Club. This experience is for two individuals, both participants must be 21 years or older. The brewing event will take place in mid-late January. All proceeds go to benefit Lakeshore Food Club and its member families. For more information, please contact Sarah McMahon at (231) 480-4334.
United Way Annual Campaign
When: Now to December 31st
Where: United Way of Mason County
What: United Way’s Annual Campaign is underway and is seeking donations, with a goal of reaching $380,000. United Way of Mason County is excited to fund programs and agencies within Mason County, including the Mason County Family Link, the Lakeshore Employee Resource Network, and the Help Me Grow Program. United Way also awards funds to local programs including, but not limited to Staircase Youth Services, OJ DeJonge Middle School Afterschool Programs, and the Lakeshore Food Club. For more information, please contact Amanda Kuczynski at (231) 843-8593.
Ludington Area School’s Giving Tree Program, with Mason County Family Link
When: Now to December 16th
Where: Ludington Area Schools
What: Mason County Family Link, along with Ludington Area Schools are seeking donations to families in the LASD that need a little bit of holiday assistance. Families are chosen by the school counselors, in conjunction with MCFL and are invited to one of four shopping events at Meijer and Walmart to purchase gifts for their children and families. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Kuczynski at (231) 843-8593 or any LASD School Counselor.
Staircase Youth Services Host Homes
When: Year-Round
Where: Mason County
What: Staircase Youth Services is searching for households that are willing to be a host home for a homeless teen in Mason County. If someone in the community would like to make a difference in a teen’s life, please contact Cindy Arneson at (231) 843-3200.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
When: Year-Round
Where: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 1916 W US HWY 10, Scottville
What: The Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers at the ReStore. Although the holiday season can be hectic, sometimes we find ourselves with down time and we would love to have you volunteer at the Habitat ReStore. All profits generated from the ReStore are used for housing projects in Mason County. Although they may not be swinging a hammer, our ReStore volunteers play a significant role in Habitat’s largest fundraiser. If you like to organize, tinker, work with customers or just want to try something different, please contact Lori Cregg at (231) 843-0396, extension 2.
Additional Year-Round Opportunities:
While the holidays are a popular time to give back and volunteer, some Mason County organizations would also like to highlight opportunities at non-profits throughout the year to donate resources and time. From reducing poverty, to becoming a Changemaker, to providing financial classes for individuals, to helping at-risk youth, to providing food to low income families, the agencies of the Lakeshore Resource Network are committed to enhancing and enriching the quality of life for all Mason County residents. Whether you’d like to make a donation in a friend’s name as a gift, help families in need to celebrate the holidays or volunteer to spread the holiday cheer in the community, there are plenty of opportunities here in Mason County this season and throughout the year.
The United Way of Mason County is focused on creating an economically sustainable community for all Mason County residents. The organization fights for the education, financial stability and health of every person in our community. They are hand-raisers. They raise their hand, not only to lead the fight but to reach out to people who need help and hope. The organization is instrumental in the work that is being done throughout Mason County to reduce poverty, providing learning opportunities for all sectors to have an understanding and desire to learn about Bridges Out of Poverty and supporting residents in quality education, connections to resources and stable employment. To donate, please go here: https://masoncountyuw.org. For more information on Bridges Out of Poverty, please contact Amanda Kuczynski at (231) 843-8593.
Many in the community may not realize it, but not everyone in Mason County has a safe and warm place to celebrate the holidays. Staircase Youth Services Inc. is a valuable resource in Mason County to help youth in that situation. The organization is an outreach service that seeks to help at-risk youth and homeless teens, in providing youth and family intervention services. Each staff member seeks to provide support, guidance and hope to every youth and family they serve. Staircase is currently seeking Host Homes for Homeless Teens – if a community member is interested in making a difference in a teen’s life, or looking for more information about Staircase, please go to: https://www.staircaseyouthservices.org.
Pennies from Heaven has been in a leadership role in Mason County for seven years and in that seven years, has made a huge difference in the quality of life for residents. The foundation believes in the power of the “we” mindset, realizing community is a family and we are all in this together. In lieu of donations to the Pennies from Heaven Foundation or specific volunteer opportunities, the Foundation asks Mason County residents to consider becoming a Changemaker. Pennies believes that everyone, regardless of age, education, income level or physical ability can do something to impact the lives of others for the better. When a person chooses to think about the wellbeing of others, their thoughts, time and actions make a difference in the lives of those around them. For more information, please go to https://www.pfhf.org.
The Lakeshore Food Club has been a success from the minute they opened their doors in 2017. They are a non-profit grocery store offering a wide range of food options for low income families in Mason County. Qualifying members pay $10 for a 30-day membership and select food using points based on household size. Members are able to personally shop and select food as often or as seldom as they choose during their 30-day membership. For more information, click https://www.lakeshorefoodclub.org and for volunteer opportunities throughout the year, contact Kate Lietz at volunteer@lakeshorefoodclub.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Mason County has become a dynamic non-profit in Mason County through their leadership in the Neighbor to Neighbor projects, home building, financial education classes for Mason County residents looking to become financially stable and improve their credit situation and the Habitat ReStore. They accept donations year-round. For more information and specific volunteer information, please go to their website https://www.masoncountyhabitat.org.
The agencies of the Lakeshore Resource Network would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season! If you have any questions, please contact the Lakeshore Resource Network at (231) 843-5300.