United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Be Healthy Berrien wins $5,000 grant for Healthy Corner Store initiative

Organization is one of five grant winners in the United to Feed Innovation Challenge in partnership with Kellogg Company.

United Way of Southwest Michigan has been awarded a $5,000 grant through the United to Feed Innovation Challenge that it will use to expand its Be Healthy Berrien Healthy Corner Store initiative. 

The initiative improves food access and helps build healthier communities. Be Healthy Berrien is a collective impact effort of United Way of Southwest Michigan that works in cooperation with communities and corner store owners to deliver a comprehensive approach that combines small-business support, nutrition education, wraparound services, and greater availability of affordable, nutritious foods.

Kellogg Company and United Way Worldwide partnered to create the United to Feed Innovation Challenge, which supports initiatives across the globe that create sustainable and equitable access to food in a unique way. Kellogg and one of the company’s charitable funds underwrote the grants.

“Food deserts are prevalent in Berrien County. The community’s retail food environment shapes residents’ food options and ultimately their choices,” said Dawn Marie Smith, Director, Be Healthy Berrien. “Access, availability, and affordability of healthy food options influence health outcomes. 

“When we enhance small businesses and empower individuals to make healthy choices, we step closer toward an equitable future of food,” Smith said.

“Kellogg and United Way have been community partners for close to a century,” said Stephanie Slingerland, Kellogg Company’s Senior Director of Philanthropy and Social Impact. “Programs like the United to Feed Innovation Challenge are part of Kellogg’s™ Better Days environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and we are proud to help create long-term impact in local communities. 

“We congratulate United Way of Southwest Michigan and thank them for the incredible work they are doing in their community to advance sustainable and equitable access to food.”

ABOUT UNITED WAY 

United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.