Watershed Voice holiday resource guide

Last week Kalamazoo, Sturgis, and Three Rivers had city commission meetings. In all three meetings, independent of each other, homelessness and ways the city can address it was discussed. As the holidays approach and cold weather continues, Watershed Voice compiled a list of all the resources available for those who need it most in St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. 

This guide lists shelter, warming, food and crisis resources available during the holiday period. Availability and capacity can change quickly, especially during extreme weather.

Call ahead when possible. If you can’t reach a program or don’t know where to start, call Michigan 211 by dialing 2-1-1. Emergency: Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical care.

All counties

Michigan 211

• Call 2-1-1 (24/7)
• Connects people to emergency shelter, warming centers, food, utilities, health care, transportation and crisis help across Michigan

St. Joseph County

Shelter and homelessness assistance

Neighborhoods Inc.

• Phone: 269-234-5023
• Primary point of contact for homelessness assistance in St. Joseph County
• After hours, call 211

KeyStone Place

• 505 E. Market St., Centreville
• Phone: 269-467-7078
• Emergency housing program

Daytime warming

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging

• Daytime warming available at enrichment centers in Three Rivers and Sturgis
• Call ahead for holiday hours

Three Rivers First United Methodist Church

• 215 N. Main St., Three Rivers
• Daytime warming site

Food

St. Joseph County Human Services

• County-maintained list of food pantries and meal programs
• Some sites do not require residency
• Call ahead for holiday schedules

Cass County

Food and basic needs (in-county)

Helping Hands of Cass County

• Food Pantry: 408 E. State St., Cassopolis
• Phone: 269-445-8104
• Provides food, clothing and basic needs assistance
• Call ahead for pantry days and holiday hours

State benefits and emergency help

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

• Cass County MDHHS office
• Assistance with food benefits, Medicaid and State Emergency Relief

Nearby but outside Cass County

Some people in Cass County may be referred to nearby shelters or services outside the county, depending on availability. Call 211 to find the closest open option and confirm eligibility.

Kalamazoo County

Overnight warming shelters / emergency shelter

Ministry with Community (Adults only)

• 500 N. Edwards St., Kalamazoo
• Seasonal overnight warming shelter during winter months
• Entry coordinated through Housing Resources Inc.

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries

• 448 N. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
• Phone: 269-345-2974
• Provides emergency shelter and meals

Housing help / shelter entry

Housing Resources Inc.

• Phone: 269-382-0287
• Coordinates access to emergency shelter and housing resources
• People experiencing homelessness may also be directed to call 211

Food

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes

• 901 Portage St., Kalamazoo
• Need Food Line: 269-343-3663
• Provides food distributions and referrals
• Some food pantries may be closed during the holiday period; call ahead

Domestic violence / sexual assault crisis help

YWCA Kalamazoo

• 24-hour crisis line: 269-385-3587
• Emergency shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking

Additional resources

Additional housing and food resources (not county-specific)

Feeding America West Michigan:
Provides a searchable directory of food pantries and meal programs across West Michigan, including Southwest Michigan. People can search by ZIP code to find nearby food assistance.

FindHelp:
National database of free and low-cost help. Search by ZIP code for food, shelter, housing help, utilities, medical care, transportation and other basic needs. Helpful for people who have internet access but don’t know what to search for.

Michigan State Emergency Relief:
Short-term emergency help for people facing housing crises, including eviction notices, utility shutoffs or disaster-related displacement. Applications are handled through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and may help with rent, utilities or related emergency costs.

SNAP (Food Assistance Program):
Monthly food benefits for eligible individuals and families. People experiencing homelessness may qualify even without a fixed address. Applications are handled through MDHHS.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children):
Food and nutrition support for pregnant people, postpartum parents and young children. Available statewide through local health departments.

Meals on Wheels:
Home-delivered meals for older adults and people with disabilities. Availability varies by location, but programs operate statewide and can be searched online.

People without reliable phone or internet access can ask staff at libraries, shelters, food pantries or community centers to help make calls or look up resources, including contacting 211 or completing benefit applications.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.