NASW-Michigan Joins Partners to Launch “MINDful Giving Boxes” for Families in Need

Macomb County, MI - As families across Michigan gather to celebrate gratitude and togetherness this Thanksgiving season, Kalasho Education and Youth Services is proud to announce a heartfelt partnership with Advancing Macomb, the National Association of Social Workers-Michigan Chapter (NASW-Michigan), Kindness Collective and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) to ensure that no family in Macomb County is left hungry during the holiday season. 

Together, these organizations are launching “MINDful Giving Boxes” - thoughtfully curated packages of food and essentials designed to help families experiencing food insecurity enjoy the warmth and nourishment of the season. Each box provides enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks, offering both sustenance and the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Each MINDful Giving Box will be filled with Thanksgiving comfort and care, including:

• Pantry staples like rice, lentils, and pasta

• Canned vegetables, beans, and hearty soups

• Peanut butter and shelf-stable milk for family favorites

• Cooking essentials such as oil, flour, and sugar

• Special Thanksgiving items such as stuffing mix and mashed potatoes 

• Kid-friendly snacks for little ones to enjoy

• Hygiene essentials including soap and paper goods

Each box is designed to help families share nourishing meals and moments of gratitude this Thanksgiving season.

“At Girl Scouts, we believe in empowering girls to take action and create positive change,” said Monica Woodson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. “By helping families receive MINDful Giving Boxes, our girls are learning the value of service, compassion, and leadership in their own communities.”

“In moments where systems fall short, it is our shared humanity that must rise to meet the need. The MINDful Giving Box partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when we choose to act in solidarity,” said Duane Breijak, Executive Director of NASW-Michigan. “NASW-Michigan is honored to join with local organizations, youth leaders, and families to ensure that every household has access to the essentials they need to thrive. Meeting basic needs is not charity—it is justice, and it is community.”

“At Advancing Macomb, we believe that strong communities are built through collaboration and compassion,” said Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director of Advancing Macomb. “The MINDful Giving Box initiative is a powerful example of how local organizations can come together to meet urgent needs with dignity and care. We’re proud to support this effort and help ensure that families across Macomb County have access to the essentials they need to thrive.”

“MINDful Giving Boxes are about more than providing food — they’re about ensuring that every family feels cared for and supported through the holidays,” said Sumaiya Ahmed Sheikh, Executive Director of Kalasho Education and Youth Services. “As more than 500 families face food insecurity this season, our mission is simple yet powerful: no family should be left behind, and no child should go to bed hungry.”

"Food insecurity has been a reality for many Americans, and it has intensified during these uncertain times." said Katarina Flathau, Executive Director of the Kindness Collective Foundation. “We are grateful to Kalasho Education and Youth Services for their swift support in helping families access healthy meals when they need it most.”

For more information on how to receive a MINDful Giving Box or to support the initiative, visit www.kalasho.org/donation or follow @KalashoEducation on social media.