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Extra grants, tax help, food aid all part of United Way of St. Joseph County

By JOSEPH DITS

South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

June 22, 2011

This year will be one of the steadiest for the United Way allocations that go to charities in St. Joseph County. Not much is changing.

But officials at the United Way of St. Joseph County point out that the agency is no longer just about raising money and doling it out -- a change that can be seen in the past few years.

Here are a few examples, all of them apart from the allocations. The United Way reports:

How to Help Tornado Survivors in Joplin, Mo. or Other States

To help manage the generous outpouring of support for Joplin, Mo., tornado survivors, disaster recovery experts have established some simple ways to help, whether volunteering or making donations.

Along with our partners at the Missouri Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, here are some specific ways to help those impacted by the recent storms and tornadoes.

Important Guidance on Helping Disaster Survivors

A second disaster threatens to overtake Joplin MO by way of a tidal wave of unsolicited goods (things like clothing, miscellaneous household items, mixed or perishable foodstuffs, diapers...) and volunteers who just show up to help. Critical resources are being redirected from the important work of response and relief to managing what has become a crush of unneeded donated items. Social networking sites are promoting collection drives while radio stations, small and large businesses, business and fraternal organizations and churches around the country fill semis with items that threaten to crowd warehouses and overwhelm distribution channels in the impacted area.

United Way local grant will match up to $50 on your heating bill

January 21, 2011

By Rich Molina

WNDU Reporter

Thursday NewsCenter 16 showed you how to get your taxes done for free with help from the United Way, but you can also find help paying those winter heating bills.

Take Charge Thursday: Tax help

Free tax returns for incomes under $49,000

Jan 20, 2011

By Nick McGurk

WNDU Reporter

TCT If you're struggling to stay on top of your bills, this Take Charge Thursday is a time to remind you that if you make under $49,000 a year, you are eligible for free tax return help thanks to an IRS program and thousands of volunteers.

VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is a program that has helped thousands in Michiana over the years. Please call 211 to get started or click on the Big Red Bar for ways to schedule an appointment and get your taxes filed for free.