Every year, food pantries are fully stocked in the winter months thanks to generous holiday donations —but when summer comes, donations drop considerably and pantry shelves become sparse.

This can leave low-income, hard-working families with limited options this time of year.

Addressing food insecurities is directly tied to the work of the Michigan Association of United Way’s ALICE Project, which identified that in 2019, 38 percent of MIchigan households worked but struggled to make ends meet. Those households - whose incomes are above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living - are referred to as ALICE, which stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed”.

Over the last decade, behind the veneer of a strong economy, conditions have actually worsened for thousands of families across Michigan - setting the stage for the dual health and economic crises of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statewide “Summer Stock-Up” events are just one way that United Ways are working to support ALICE families.

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