ST. JOSEPH, Mich. –- United Way of Southwest Michigan is coming together with the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) to support their annual “Stuff a Truck” Food Drive with 99.9 Y Country and News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM.

The event takes place November 17-21 from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Saturday, November 22 from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. at Roger’s Foodland in St. Joseph. The event is now in its 29th year raising funds, food, and personal care items for the SMCAA with the need continually rising each year.

“One of our many goals at United Way of Southwest Michigan is to support agencies doing great work on the ground by leveraging our voice and our network to events like this one,” stated Anna Murphy, President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “The SMCAA is one of our incredible impact partners that does work in the three-county area. With recent gaps in SNAP funding, we know the ripple effect will be felt for months for families in our region, and this event will hopefully fill those gaps.”

“Food insecurity is at an all-time high,” said Kim Smith Oldham, Executive Director of SMCAA. “In 2024, SMCAA assisted over 5,100 individuals through our pantry. As of the close of our FY 2025 on September 30, we have already served more than 9,800 individuals. The need is tremendous, and with the current pause in SNAP benefits, our pantry is experiencing unprecedented demand.”

According to Feeding America West Michigan, over 44,000 residents collectively in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties receive SNAP benefits and were affected by the recent government shutdown. The SMCAA and other pantries experienced an increased need during the shutdown and benefit lapse. That increased need, along with higher food costs further exacerbated the supply of personal care and food items in the SMCAA warehouse.

The Stuff a Truck event aims to restock the warehouse to run far into 2026.

Donate non-perishable food products including items like canned goods, tuna, boxed food like pasta, coffee, juice, baking products, and cooking oil; personal hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, deodorant, laundry detergent and more; baby products such as diapers, wipes, and baby food; and paper products such as toilet paper and facial tissue.

You can help by simply visiting the donation site inside the front door of Roger’s Foodland during the weeks of the event or donate with your credit card online at smcaa.com or ycountrystuffatruck.com.