FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Donation and Volunteer Opportunities
During COVID-19 Pandemic
Many neighbors in the Calhoun County community have asked how they can help others as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic locally.

Please consider one or more of the following:

If you would like to volunteer in the community , please fill out a United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region form, at changethestory.org/volunteer .

Due to a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) , Bronson Battle Creek Hospital is seeking donations of specific new or unused items, including disposable face masks and gowns, hand sanitizer, bleach, and paper towels. See the full list and how to donate these items at this link: https://www.bronsonhealth.com/news/bronson-welcomes-community-donations-of-unused-personal-protecti/

The South Michigan Food Bank is accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at their location at 5451 Wayne Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037.

Calhoun County’s Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers. Call 269-382-0515 ext. 137 to help.

To make a monetary donation to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund, please visit portal.gkuw.org/drf . The Albion-Homer United Way also has an Emergency Relief Fund, and the Albion Community Foundation is matching funds up to a certain amount. Learn more at, albionhomeruw.org . For the Marshall United Way, visit marshallunitedway.com .

To donate blood during this critical need period, please visit redcross.org/give-blood to find a blood drive near you. There are several opportunities listed for our region in April.

The business community appreciates everyone who is able to support them during this time by purchasing gift cards or ordering carry-out or delivery meals from those who are open during this time.

Please hold all clothing donations ; no agency is currently accepting clothing or material donations.

If your agency needs volunteer help , please email getinvolved@uwbckr.org .

To donate household goods , or offer any other donations – particularly from a private business – please contact coordinators Brendan Pizzala at bmpizzala@battlecreekmi.gov or Aaron Edlefson at aedlefson@calhouncountymi.gov . 

Emergency response leaders thank everyone for their eagerness to help, and for the contributions to our community’s health and wellness.
***

For updates from Calhoun County, about County operations and COVID-19 in Calhoun County, visit the County website,  calhouncountymi.gov.

For updates from the City of Battle Creek, please visit  battlecreekmi.gov/coronavirus .

The State’s COVID-19 Hotline is available for anyone who has questions or concerns related to the virus. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 1-888-535-6136. For state COVID-19 information, visit  michigan.gov/coronavirus.
For information, contact
Lucy Blair, Calhoun County Communications Manager
269-781-0926,  lblair@calhouncountymi.gov

Jessica Vanderkolk, City of Battle Creek Communications Manager