HP Staff
Dec 16, 2021
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad loads a turkey into a trunk during the holiday food giveaway program in 2020.
BENTON HARBOR — The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency announced its sixth annual Holiday Food Sharing Program is taking place next week.
The program, which is sponsored by the city of Benton Harbor, the PGA of America and Whirlpool Corp., collects and distributes about 400 turkeys and food boxes to residents in need of assistance from Benton Harbor, Benton Township and St. Joseph.
“Giving back to those in need remains a priority in Benton Harbor during the holiday season,” Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad said in a news release. “SMCCA has provided outreach to community members thanks to the generosity of local area supporters for six years now, and we look forward to continuing this tradition for many years to come.”
Distribution of the turkeys and food boxes will be from 2-4:30 p.m. Monday.
Registration ends at noon on Friday. Applications need to be turned in at the SMCAA office to receive immediate notification and pick-up instructions. All others will be notified by mail.
The program will be done in a drive-thru format again this year, the release stated.
“It is a longstanding holiday tradition at Whirlpool to support local area residents in need,” Jeff Noel, vice president of communications and public affairs at Whirlpool, said in the release. “We know this has been a difficult time for the community and we hope that in some small way our contributions can help to make the holiday season a little bit brighter for our Benton Harbor friends and neighbors.”
Since the program’s founding in 2015, the SMCAA has helped more than 2,400 families in and around Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.
“The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship would not be the incredible event that it is without the support of the Benton Harbor community,” Brandon Haney, championship director of the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, said in the release. “Providing meals to the community is just a small thing we can do to spread holiday cheer to many residents.”
All interested residents must apply for the Holiday Food Sharing Program to be considered.
Applications are available at the following locations:
Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency: 185 E. Main St., Suite 303, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
United Way: 2015 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085
The Department of Health and Human Services: 401 8th St., Benton Harbor, MI 49023
Benton Harbor City Hall: 200 E. Wall St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
City of St. Joseph: 700 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI 49085
Benton Township: 1725 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Mosaic: 510 W. Main St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Michigan Works: 401 Eighth St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
The Emergency Shelter Services: 645 Pipestone St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
The Salvation Army: 233 Michigan St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Benton Harbor/Benton Township Senior Services Inc.: 225 Colfax Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
For more information, visit www.smcaa.com or call 925-9077