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Three Rivers Today
By the People, for the People
United Way Raises Funds for Tornado Recovery in Southwest Michigan
Donations will support rebuilding efforts in areas hit hard by Friday's storms.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The United Way of Southwest Michigan has activated the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund to support recovery efforts in Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties after tornadoes struck the region on Friday. The organization is coordinating with local United Ways to bolster their capabilities and is asking the community to donate money to help with rebuilding homes, restocking food pantries, and other needs as the affected areas work to recover.
Why it matters
The storms caused significant damage, killing four people and injuring at least a dozen others across several communities. The United Way's fundraising efforts will provide critical resources to aid the long-term recovery process in these hard-hit areas.
The details
United Way Senior Director Zack East says the monetary donations will help cover the costs of products and services needed for home repairs, as well as restocking food pantries that may have been depleted. The organization is also directing volunteers to VolunteerUnited.org, where needs will be updated as more information becomes available.
- The tornadoes struck on Friday, March 7, 2026.
- The United Way activated the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund immediately after the storms.
The players
United Way of Southwest Michigan
A nonprofit organization that mobilizes the caring power of communities to advance the common good.
Zack East
The senior director of the United Way of Southwest Michigan.
What they’re saying
“Some of the things that might need to be bought and purchased in the coming weeks are really what these monetary donations are going to help with. It's going to help with things like the cost of products and services to do house repairs or to buy food for food pantries that don't get donated.”
— Zack East, Senior Director, United Way of Southwest Michigan (wsjm.com)
“As we get more information, which it's coming in pretty much hour by hour, for volunteer needs that we might need to send people or supplies toward, we'll be updating that volunteer need. So it would be best for folks to make a profile on the website so they get those alerts.”
— Zack East, Senior Director, United Way of Southwest Michigan (wsjm.com)
What’s next
The United Way is encouraging the community to donate to the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund at SouthwestMichiganCares.org to support the ongoing recovery efforts in the affected areas.
The takeaway
The United Way's fundraising and coordination efforts will provide vital resources to help the communities of Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties rebuild and recover from the devastating tornado damage, demonstrating the organization's commitment to supporting its local partners and residents in times of crisis.
