The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. But for many in our community, it can also be a painful reminder of daily struggles—uncertain meals, overdue rent, and the constant question of how to stay warm through the winter.

While many gather to exchange gifts and attend holiday celebrations, far too many of our neighbors are simply trying to meet their most basic needs.

Home for Good is an initiative of United Way of 1000 Lakes that provides essential household items—such as bath towels, paper products, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items—through Personal Care and Home Essentials kits. These kits support individuals and families experiencing ALICE—those who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet, helping them transform a space into a place that truly feels like home.

This work is made possible through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations—such as Northland Counseling, Park State Bank, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Grand Rapids, and St. Joseph’s Catholic School—who host drives, donate funds, volunteer to assemble essential packs, and support United Way’s broader efforts to lift up ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

“Choosing between gas for work and household supplies isn’t really a choice at all,” said Molly Hiipakka, Community Impact Coordinator with Untied Way. “This support helps ease that pressure, even if just for a moment. It’s not a long-term solution, but it’s one way we can help.”

Families like Misty and Rhys know how meaningful that support can be. Along with their daughters, Adeline and Claritie, they will spend their first Christmas in their new home—built through the New Home program of Itasca Habitat for Humanity, a Community Impact grantee of United Way of 1000 Lakes.

“Thank you for your donation. Not only was it a blessing, it was very helpful,” shared Misty. “All of the different items you included in the basket have already been useful during our first night’s stay.”

Their home is the first net-zero Habitat home in the area, designed with energy efficiency in mind through high-quality insulation, windows, and solar panels. These features will help lower monthly utility costs—freeing up resources for other essentials like childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology—and allowing the family to focus on stability and the future they’re building together.

Home for Good goes beyond basic supplies. The kits restore dignity, reduce stress, and provide a sense of normalcy during an incredibly vulnerable transition. Families access Home for Good through area case managers and advocates who help identify challenges and connect them with needed support.

For ALICE households, the cost of living often makes even basic necessities feel out of reach. The Household Survival Budget, which varies by county, reflects the minimum cost to live and work in today’s economy—and for many families, that math simply doesn’t add up.

By addressing immediate needs while working alongside partners on long-term solutions, Home for Good plays an important role in strengthening financial stability for children, families, and communities across the Itasca Area.

Last fiscal year, the program served 51 households. In just the first six months of the current year, Home for Good has already assisted 55 individuals—a reflection of both growing need and strong community support.

Stories from Our Community

Angel and Myahh, who recently secured housing after a period of instability caused by rising living costs and reduced public benefits, shared:

“Wow—this is great! We’ve been struggling with the cost of gas and transportation, then cuts to our food support, and now the holidays are coming up. I don’t know what to say. Thank you!”

Ashley and Celtie, who are rebuilding after an unexpected appliance failure strained their already-tight budget, shared:

“I’ve been picking up extra shifts to afford a new stove after ours went out just before Thanksgiving. Right now, every little bit helps. Thank you.”

Allison and Emma, who accessed the program after losing a portion of their food support and having to reroute limited funds just to keep meals on the table, shared:

“Wow, we got trash bags and paper towels! For some people, that may not seem like a luxury—but for us, it really is. This helps us so much. Thank you!”

Jess, who recently experienced a rent increase while living on a fixed income, shared:

“I didn’t expect to receive all of this, but we can truly use it. We’ve lost a significant amount of food support, and this helps us save money to cover rent. Thank you!”

Ryleigh, a teen mom working to provide stability for her child amid ongoing financial challenges, shared:

“Our family was blessed with a basket from United Way, and we are beyond grateful. As a teen mom, the day-to-day challenges can feel never-ending. Because of the support from our community, I was able to give my child a happier holiday this season.”

Take Action

• Make a donation at uwlakes.org/donate and select Home for Good from the dropdown menu
• Share this story with family and friends to help spread awareness

Together, we can ensure more of our neighbors experience the comfort, dignity, and stability of a place to call home—this season and beyond.

 

Cutlines:

Smiles and celebration at a Habitat for Humanity home dedication earlier this month, as Misty and Rhys, along with their daughters Adeline and Claritie, begin the next chapter in their new home.

Jack, Mari, and Addie Ryan, students at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, hold essential kits for United Way’s Home for Good program. Together, students collected supplies and packed more than 100 personal care kits to support local families.

Heidi Larson, Zoey Harshbarger, and Taylor Shepherd of Northland Counseling show donations collected for United Way’s Home for Good program, supporting families with essential household items.