GRAND RAPIDS (April 15, 2015) – Itasca County has been awarded federal funds through the State Set-Aside process under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP). The program provides assistance for food, utilities and shelter to individuals and families in emergency situations who meet the federal eligibility guidelines.

United Way has been chosen to receive $7,519 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the county. Funding is based on poverty and average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor for the most current 12-month period. In 2014, the county received $5,614 through the program, which was awarded to the Grace House and Advocates for Family Peace.

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GRAND RAPIDS (December 15, 2014) – The United Way of 1000 Lakes announces the beginning of its 2015-17 grant funding cycle. Every two years, the organization welcomes new and existing programs to apply for Community Investment Funding in the areas of education, financial stability, and health. 

“We work diligently to understand and measure the needs of our community and its people,” noted Kimberly Brink Smith United Way executive director. “Using locally raised dollars, United Way will invest in programs and initiatives that offer long-term solutions around community-wide issues and help to improve the lives of our residents by teaching, promoting and encouraging self sufficiency.” 

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 The United Way of 1000 Lakes Unleash Your Inner Hero Campaign is building momentum, hitting the halfway point of the 2014 goal.  Current...

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United Way Board President, Madelen Schuemann posted the 20% mark on the United Way thermometer last week with help from Grand Rapids High School stud...

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United Way of 1000 Lakes launched their “Unleash Your Inner Hero” campaign at a kick-off breakfast at Old Central School in Grand Rapids. Executive Director, Kimberly Brink Smith announced this year’s dynamic team leading the charge to raise $300,000 for our community’s most vulnerable — Jim Hoolihan, Industrial Lube, Inc.; Kyle Erickson, MDI Deer River Hired Hands; Nikki Lehtentin, Independent School District 318; Matt Lehtenin, Megnetation; and Trish Klein, Itasca County.

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Each year on June 20th communities around the world come together to harness the volunteer spirit and improve the conditions in which they live.

Now in its sixth year, United Way Day of Action is an invitation for people and organizations around the world to LIVE UNITED and take action to address a variety of challenges. It is a day that we ask you to help us put our mission into action by supporting – education, income and health -- the building blocks for a good quality of life.

Locally, United Way of 1000 Lakes is coordinating several Day of Action projects, including a community-wide Personal Care Drive and various hands-on volunteer projects at Veteran’s Park, this year’s Day of Action site. New this year, small team projects will be hosted by satellite sites, including: Advocates for Family Peace; Hope House; Itasca County Family YMCA; and KOOTASCA.

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