The United Way of Southwest Michigan is urging everyone to come out for the Stuff a Truck Food Drive at Roger’s Foodland in St. Joseph this week to help the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency stock its food pantry.

United Way Senior Director of Organizational Sustainability Zack East tells us the disruption in SNAP benefits and other economic factors have increased the demand faced by food pantries around Southwest Michigan this holiday season. The United Way has seen it in the increased call volume to the 211 help line.

“The need is not going to stop, and unfortunately, it’s just gotten a little bit bigger this year,” East said. “But the nice thing about Southwest Michigan is that when our organizations and our community puts out the call for assistance, people do respond. And so if you’ve been kind of wondering what you as a citizen can do in Southwest Michigan, there are always ways to help.”

According to Feeding America West Michigan, more than 44,000 residents in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties receive SNAP benefits and were affected by the recent government shutdown.

With Stuff a Truck, the Southwest Community Action Agency is hoping the public can help it restock its warehouse to help those in need running far into 2026. East says everyone now has a chance to help.

The drive is taking place through Saturday at Roger’s Foodland with 99.9 Y Country and News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM all on hand. The team will be collecting donations 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, and then from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.