Food pantries, churches, and other groups benefit from partnership with United Way, Hidden Harvest

BAY CITY, MICHIGAN —

There’s nothing sweeter than living united with your colleagues, friends, and neighbors, particularly when you help those in need.

Michigan Sugar Company, in partnership with United Way of Bay County and Hidden Harvest, held its annual United Way Sugar Distribution Day on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the company’s shipping facility on McGraw Street in Bay City. This year, Michigan Sugar Company donated 46,368 pounds of pure, all-natural white granulated and Golden Light Brown Pioneer Sugar to 92 nonprofit organizations serving the Great Lakes Bay and Thumb regions of Michigan.

Each pantry received 360 pounds of white granulated sugar and 144 pounds of brown sugar, a total of 504 pounds per organization.

“As we wrap up our sugarbeet harvest over the next several weeks, we take great pride in knowing a portion of what our 865 grower-owners produce is being used to help our neighbors in need,” said Tyler Kring, Community Relations Manager for Michigan Sugar Company. “While sugar is a commodity, we understand it’s a luxury for families facing food insecurity. When you have limited funds, you’re focused on making those dollars stretch as far as possible, to cover as many meals as possible. By donating these products, we’re supporting the essential work our local nonprofits do to serve the impoverished and ALICE populations. We’re helping families in need make memories this holiday season by baking cookies, pies, and cakes. It’s those memories that make a house a home.”

United Way Sugar Distribution Day is just a piece of Michigan Sugar’s annual commitment to serving the Great Lakes Bay and Thumb communities. More than 200 non-profits will receive sugar donations this year, exceeding 200,000 pounds total. Additionally, Michigan Sugar has supported 91 organizations and community events with sponsorship dollars and awarded $15,000 in scholarships to area youth in 2024.

Of course, change does not happen in a vacuum and requires partnership between community advocates. Michigan Sugar Company thanks United Way of Bay County for registering the nonprofit organizations for the event and Hidden Harvest for their distribution efforts to 71 of the nonprofits who did not have the means to pick up the sizeable donation on their own.

“Part of our mission is to ensure that Bay County residents are able to meet their basic needs,” said Nicole Luczak, President and CEO of United Way of Bay County. “By distributing this sugar to a variety of food pantries and meal sites, we are providing a fundamental resource that can help the agencies continue their invaluable work of directly feeding, serving, and uplifting those who are in need. Together, we are not only sweetening the lives that we touch, but fostering unity and resilience in our community.”

Samantha McKenzie, President and CEO of Hidden Harvest, echoed the sentiment, stating “Throughout the year, United Way of Bay County and Michigan Sugar are both such great partners to Hidden Harvest. Any time we need additional help, we know we can count on these two community focused organizations. The United Way Michigan Sugar Distribution Day really just is a one-day example of how well we all work together to collaborate in addressing community needs all the time.”

For more information on Michigan Sugar Company’s community efforts, or to request a donation, visit www.michigansugar.com/community.