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Our Community Investments:
Basic Needs

What are basic needs?

When we say basic needs, we mean everything from food services like pantries and meals to shelter services, utility assistance and transportation.

Heart of West Michigan United Way partners with community leaders to identify the greatest local needs and respond accordingly. We also respond to calls for help individuals through United Way’s accredited 2-1-1 call center, which provides information and referrals to our community at no cost, around the clock.

Community Snapshot: Basic Needs Report

The Kent County Emergency Needs Task Force (ENTF) provides data and analysis on the basic needs of the Kent County community. The ENTF is a community collaborative of 100 non-profit agencies, government, faith-based organizations, funders and concerned community members who work together to address our citizen's basic needs. The ENTF monitors basic service systems in Kent County, including food, shelter, utilities and transportation.

Learn more at by visiting the ENTF website or by reading the ENTF Basic Needs Reports:

First Quarter 2007Report
Second Quarter 2007Report
Third Quarter 2007Report
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    United Way 2008 Midwest Flood Recovery Fund Established

    United Way's 2008 Midwest Flood Recovery Fund will support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout the Midwest states that have been devastated by the recent floods.
    website by CMC/GrandNet United Way Center • 118 Commerce Avenue SW • Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    tel 616.459.6281 • fax 616.459.8460