Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency

March 2018

Gov. Rick Snyder today declared a state of disaster and opened the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to local governments in 17 counties and two cities after heavy rainfall and snow melt resulted in widespread flooding damage.

March 2018

Qualified Benton Harbor homeowners whose houses need repair will soon be able to apply for help through the Benton Harbor Home Rehabilitation Loan Program.

Applications will start being accepted at informational meetings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. March 27 at the Benton Harbor Library, 213 E. Wall St., said Stephanie Scott-Sims, director of community and economic development for the city.

October 2017

At the start of another cold week in Michigan, Sharon Townes is welcoming strangers into her home while plastic sheeting covers her living room floor.

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A dozen or so of these strangers are poking holes and ripping out insulation for Townes, who hasn't been able to work in five years because of a disability.

December 2015

The season of giving is in full force all across Michiana, including Benton Harbor. City leaders partnered with major area corporations to provide free food to those in need on Wednesday afternoon.

Benton Harbor's Mayor-elect Marcus Muhammad wanted to make sure his residents had something nice to put on the table this Christmas, so he reached out to Whirlpool and the Senior PGA Championship for support.

December 2015

Just about a thousand frozen chickens were given out in downtown Benton Harbor on Wednesday. The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency said they served over 420 people in one hour.

Yvonne Vidt said, “People are really thankful, some are going without food for the holidays, and this is a jump start to get them going!”

 

October 2015

On Friday, Aug. 21, Berrien County Farm Bureau purchased 15 second-destination hogs from exhibitors at the Berrien County Youth Fair Livestock Auction. Board member Dale Robson was in charge of purchasing the animals.

 

“Each year around fair time, because it’s the end of our fiscal year, if we have money left over, we use those funds to purchase second-destination hogs. This year we were able to purchase fifteen hogs,” he said.

November 2014

“The annual ‘Stuff-A-Truck’ drive is a wonderful and impactful way to help area struggling families,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph.

 

“One of the things that makes Michigan’s Great Southwest so great is that our community comes together to help our neighbors in times of need.