This episode of The Collective US podcast, produced by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) [DONATE], highlights two essential but often overlooked community support programs: the Laundry Project and the Diaper Distribution Grant.

• Awareness: Tied to National Laundry Day (April 15), the project emphasizes laundry as a basic human need essential for dignity, confidence, school performance, and job readiness.
• Details:
• Impact: Over 3,000 people served in 2024, helping reduce stigma and build relationships in a welcoming environment.
• Anecdotes: Stories were shared of families with broken washers, flood damage, or large households needing support. The laundry project becomes a place for connection—“like going to the well” in older times.

• NMCAA distributes free diapers to qualifying families through a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
• Eligibility: Based on income or receipt of assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, etc. No documentation is required—self-declaration only.
• Access: Diapers are available at pantries and partner locations across NMCAA’s 10-county service area.
• Reach: In 2023, the program distributed over 9,000 sleeves of diapers to 1,756 households.
• Future Goals: Expansion to include adult incontinence products, and more rural outreach (interest noted in Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Emmet counties).

• NMCAA’s programs (like Head Start, tax prep, housing assistance, etc.) provide tangible economic benefits—e.g., $6.8 million returned to the local economy via free tax prep alone.
• Basic needs programs enable families to stay employed, kids to stay in school, and reduce financial stress.

• Stories drive change—real people, real experiences build trust and reduce stigma.
• NMCAA’s mission is rooted in community, dignity, and access.
• “See you next Thursday”—a catchy musical outro reaffirms NMCAA’s consistent presence and support for the community.

Key Highlights:Laundry ProjectDiaper GrantOverall Economic ImpactFinal Takeaways: