PRESS RELEASES
United Way Manitowoc County Announces Director of Impact Strategies
February 2, 2024
United Way Manitowoc County (UWMC) is honored to announce Ben Peters as the new Director of Impact Strategies. Peters will oversee the organization’s three initiatives: Basic Needs, Early Childhood and Youth Development. This includes facilitating community-level coalition work with local nonprofits and development of United Way’s results data management system.
“The Director of Impact Strategies position is an investment in our community,” says Ashley Bender, Executive Director of United Way Manitowoc County. “With the addition of this role, United Way has the capacity to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to collaboration with other nonprofits and move the needle on very complex problems such as homelessness, food insecurity, lack of child care, and access to critical services like mental health care.”
Volunteers Needed for the Winter 2024 Homelessness Count
January 8, 2024
Volunteers are needed to assist in conducting the Point-in-Time (PIT) Homelessness Count on January 24 and 25, 2024. Two shifts are available: 11:00pm-1:00am and 4:00am-6:00am. During this event community volunteers go out in 2-hour shifts and search for individuals who might be sleeping unsheltered in an effort to connect those individuals to resources.
This PIT event is part of the Housing Coalition of Manitowoc County’s efforts in partnership with the Lakeshore Continuum of Care to combat homelessness. “As our community sees more and more individuals and families experience housing insecurities, events like the PIT Count are very important for several reasons,” said Ashley Bender, Executive Director, United Way Manitowoc County. “The data we collect helps the Housing Coalition make informed decisions and bring meaningful solutions to our community. This is also an opportunity to let those experiencing homelessness know we care about them and that their well-being is important to us.”
Make a Difference this December with United Way Manitowoc County
December 1, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County’s biggest end-of-year fundraiser is here!
December is Donor Match Month and United Way has partnered with area businesses to raise $15,500, half of United Way’s total December goal of $31,000. United Way now needs your help to raise the rest. Gifts of any size make a huge difference.
A gift will help support programs like Ride United and Born Learning as well as community coalition work designed to address issues like homelessness, hunger, school readiness and mental health.
Successful Third Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal
November 28, 2023
The Hunger Coalition of Manitowoc County’s third annual Thanksgiving Community Meal was very successful! On Thursday, November 23 in partnership with Hope Community Church, 250 free meals were provided to Manitowoc County residents (206 to-go and 44 dine-in).
A huge thank you to the 40 volunteers who helped make this year’s event amazing. Volunteers helped with food preparations the day before, cooking the day of, drive thru and dine-in services, and clean up.
Third Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal Set for Thursday, November 23
October 30, 2023
The Hunger Coalition of Manitowoc County will host their third annual Thanksgiving Community Meal on Thursday, November 23 in partnership with Hope Community Church, 4408 County Rd. B, Manitowoc. The meal is provided free of charge to Manitowoc County residents. All are welcome.
To reserve a meal, call United Way Manitowoc County’s office at (920) 682-8888 by 4:00pm Wednesday, November 22. Only 250 meals available – first come, first served.
To-go meals are available for pickup at Hope Community Church between 10:30-11:30am. Dine-in meals will be served at the church from noon-1:30pm.
Youth Development Collaborative to Host Film Screening: The Upstanders
October 18, 2023
The Upstanders is unsettling and uplifting, causing us all to examine our behavior, inspiring us to do better, be better, and stand up against victimization and cyber-bullying. On Thursday, October 26th at 7:00pm, United Way Manitowoc County’s Youth Development Collaborative will hold a special screening of The Upstanders to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. The event will be held at the Franciscan Music Center and feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by an informative panel discussion. No registration is necessary. Area youth-serving organizations, clubs and programs will also be on site for attendees to connect with following the film screening.
Get Cheesy in Downtown Manitowoc on Saturday, October 14
September 18, 2023
It's time to get cheesy! United Way Manitowoc County's 3rd Annual Curd Crawl Fundraiser is set to take place Saturday, October 14, 3:00-9:00pm.
Enjoy discounted cheese curds at six downtown Manitowoc establishments including BRIX, The Fat Seagull, Pizza Garden, Waterfront Wine Bar, The Wharf (Eats by Broken Plate), and Wrap It Up.
Crawlers must purchase a wristband to participate. Wristbands are just $10 in advance and come with 5 FREE raffle tickets. Raffle baskets at each stop means one in six chances to win amazing prizes! Crawlers are also invited to rate each establishments curds along the way, and then vote for their overall favorite curd. The curd with the most votes will be crowned the 2023 Cheese Curd Champion.
United Way's Ride United Transportation Program Relaunches
June 27, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County’s Ride United program has just relaunched, once again helping cover ride costs for basic needs in partnership with Felician Village On-the-Go and Martitime Cab. United Way’s goal is to provide 300 or more rides per month starting June 2023 through May 2024. United Way’s Board of Directors approved $48,000 from the organization’s 2022 fundraising efforts in support of this critical program. Additionally, Lakeshore Technical College has generously donated $1,500 as a Ride United program sponsor, bringing the proram’s total support to $49,500.
Volunteers Needed for the Summer 2023 Homelessness Count
June 22, 2023
Once again volunteers are needed to assist in conducting the Point-in-Time (PIT) Homelessness Count on July 26 and 27. Two shifts are available: 11:00pm-1:00am and 4:00am-6:00am.
“As our community sees more and more individuals and families experience housing insecurities, events like the PIT Count are very important for several reasons,” said Ashley Bender, Executive Director, United Way Manitowoc County. “The data helps to make informed decisions and bring meaningful solutions here. This is also an opportunity to let those experiencing homelessness know we care about them and they are important.”
United Way's 2nd Annual Stuff the Bus Event Set for July 11
June 16, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County is partnering with Brandt Buses, Inc. and Walmart Manitowoc on Tuesday, July 11, 1:30-5:30pm for United Way’s 2nd Annual Stuff the Bus event.
In support of area schools’ community closets, United Way is collecting essential supplies for youth. Examples of needed items include toiletries, clothing, gift cards, non-perishable snacks, gloves/mittens, socks, etc. For the full list of schools and items, visit unitedwaymanitowoccounty.org.
United Way Rallying Volunteers for Annual Day of Action on June 16
May 22, 2023
United Way’s Annual Day of Action is a global day of service where people from all across the world volunteer their time to create positive change.
On June 16 United Way Manitowoc County is once again mobilizing volunteers – individuals, company teams and community groups – to give back and invest their time in Manitowoc County.
United Way to Host Women United Kickoff Brunch May 31
May 17, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County is hosting a Women United Kickoff Brunch on Wednesday, May 31, 10:00-11:00am at Wrap It Up in Manitowoc.
Women United is a global, growing force of 55,000+ women across six countries in 165 communities who are dedicated to creating a world of opportunity for everyone. We are excited to re-ignite one of United Way’s most popular affinity groups right here in our own backyard.
United Way Manitowoc County's Women United Affinity Group will focus on lifting resources and voices in support of United Way's Early Childhood initiative. The goal of this initiative is 3rd grade success, a critical predictor of high school graduation and career success.
Support United Way's Ride United Transportation Program and Win NASCAR Swag
May 10, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County is excited to be joining The NASCAR Foundation for the NASCAR Day Giveathon.
Created in honor of NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary, the NASCAR Day Giveathon is a joint effort of the NASCAR industry to provide much needed funds to nonprofits and communities across the country.
Starting Tuesday, May 16 at 4pm CST through Friday, May 19 at 7pm CST, you can help United Way Manitowoc County by giving a gift and by sharing our fundraiser during the 75-hour period: https://bit.ly/3He8Up6. You can also click the banner on our homepage at unitedwaymanitowoccounty.org.
Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board Accepting Requests for Funding
April 28, 2023
The Manitowoc County area has been awarded $23,932 in federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP).
The Local EFSP Board of Manitowoc County is currently accepting Phase 40 (Fiscal Year 2022) requests for funding from agencies providing or capable of providing Manitowoc County residents with emergency food and/or shelter assistance. Needs the Local EFSP Board will address include emergency shelter, food/meals, housing/rent, and utilities.
United Way Celebrates National Volunteer Month with Spring Volunteer Fairs
April 4, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County invites community members to attend our Spring Volunteer Fairs in recognition of National Volunteer Month.
City of Manitowoc Proclaims February 11, 2023 as 211 Day
February 6, 2023
Saturday is 211 Day, celebrating the go-to resource 211, which helped 1,030 people in the Manitowoc County community access help for immediate or long-term challenges last year.
211 is a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service that connects residents with health and human services support. Anyone in need of help or information can call 211 (24/7), text your zip code to 898211 (M-F 8:00am-5:00pm) or search the online directory at 211now.org.
United Way Job Opening - Director of Impact Strategies
January 17, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County, Inc. seeks to hire a Director of Impact Strategies.
The Director of Impact Strategies position is a hands-on community development role responsible for the organization’s Community Impact Agendas, bringing about whole community change that improves quality of life in Manitowoc County. This position is a critical and highly visible role within the organization as well as the community.
United Way Seeking Volunteers for Manitowoc County Homelessness Count
January 11, 2023
United Way Manitowoc County is seeking volunteers to assist in conducting the Point-in-Time Homelessness Count on January 25 and 26. Two shifts are available: 11:00pm-1:00am and 4:00-6:00am.
Have you ever wondered how many people in Manitowoc County lack a safe place to sleep at night? Most of the time, we may think that homelessness is a problem affecting only metro areas, but the reality might surprise you. “We are seeing historic numbers on wait lists at all of our shelters, at times 15+ people deep,” states Michael Etheridge, Executive Director of The Haven of Manitowoc County. The new Warming Shelter in Manitowoc provides some respite for these individuals by providing overnight shelter January through March.