Explore Resources

Here you’ll find trusted local services, crisis supports, housing resources, health care access points, and practical guides designed to meet immediate needs and promote long-term stability.

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, supporting someone else, or looking to get involved, this page is here to connect you with compassionate, reliable resources across Kalamazoo County. We believe access to information saves lives — and no one should have to navigate hardship alone.

Michigan United Way

Michigan United Way connects individuals and families to essential community resources across the state, including food, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance. To use the service, visit 211.org or dial 2-1-1 to speak with a trained resource specialist who can assess your needs and connect you with local programs, nonprofits, and government services that provide support. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Interactive Map

Our interactive map makes it easy to find local services for food, warming shelters, medical care, and other community support. Simply zoom in on your area, click on the icons, and view details about each resource. The map is updated regularly to help you quickly locate the help you need.

Emergency Shelter & Housing

  • Ministry with Community in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a 365-day-a-year daytime shelter and resource center providing meals, showers, laundry, and social services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, or crisis.   Located at 500 N. Edwards St., it offers a safe, respectful environment with access to counseling, job coaching, and emergency housing assistance. 

    Key Services & Programs:

    • Daytime Shelter: Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for rest and refuge.

    • Basic Needs: Breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry facilities, and personal care items.

    • Emergency Support: Assistance with obtaining IDs and birth certificates, mail/phone access, and emergency shelter, including winter, overnight options in partnership with Housing Resources Inc..

    • Social Services: On-site access to legal aid, mental health services, and addiction treatment referrals.

    • Empowerment: Computer lab access, job/employment coaching, and life skills classes. 

  • Open Doors focuses on multiple aspects of housing and stability:

    • Supportive housing and affordable rentals: They manage a community with affordable apartments for working individuals and families who struggle to afford market-rate housing.

    • Homeless shelters: The organization operates temporary residential programs for people without homes—separate shelters for men and for women (and people identifying as women/non-binary)—where guests receive a bed, basic necessities, and support while working toward stability.

    • Pathway to homeownership: Open Doors offers programs that help residents prepare for and achieve homeownership, including education, coaching, and down-payment assistance.

    • Support services: In addition to housing, they provide assistance with employment, budgeting, education, health care access, and other personal support to help residents grow toward long-term stability.

  • Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries is a long-standing nonprofit in Kalamazoo that provides direct services to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability, centered around Christian ministry and support.

    Shelter & Basic Needs

    • Emergency shelter: They operate overnight shelter services with beds available for men, women, and families. This gives people experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep and be out of the elements.

    • Meals: The Mission serves regular meals, including community dinners and breakfast for guests, helping address hunger and basic nutrition for unhoused individuals.

    • Clothing & essentials: They offer clothing and sometimes furniture or basic supplies for people in urgent need.

  • The Commission attempts to help area residents gain access to decent, affordable housing. The Public Housing Commission meets the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building.

Food & Basic Needs

  • Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is a major nonprofit food assistance organization in Kalamazoo County, Michigan that works to fight hunger and reduce food insecurity for individuals and families in the community.

    Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes provides food assistance through multiple programs:

    • Grocery Pantry Program: Provides groceries—fresh produce, dairy, meats, canned and dry goods—to people in need through a network of pantry sites across Kalamazoo County.

    • Mobile Food Distributions: Delivers food to neighborhoods through scheduled pop-up sites so people can get food closer to where they live.

    • Home Delivery: Offers food delivery for homebound residents or those who cannot easily visit a pantry.

    • School-Based Programs & Kids Packs: Partners with schools to get food to students and provides weekend food packs to children who might otherwise go without.

  • Kzoo Parks, South Michigan Food Bank & Catholic Charities (Diocese of Kalamazoo) partner to provide free monthly food distributions for community members experiencing food insecurity.

    What’s Offered

    • Free food boxes with 25–35 pounds of groceries, typically including:

      • Fresh produce

      • Dairy and bread

      • Canned and boxed goods

      • Rice, beans, juice, and dry protein

      • When available: milk, meat, and bakery items

    • Each box provides approximately 5–7 days of food, with amounts adjusted for family size and availability.

    Where & When

    • Location: Mayors’ Riverfront Park (251 Mills St)

    • Schedule: Third Friday of each month

    How It Works

    • Drive-up or walk-up service available.

    • Volunteers distribute boxes in the parking lot and will load food directly into vehicle trunks or hatches for drive-up participants.

    • No eligibility requirements — any community member in need of food is welcome.

  • Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries Community Meal Program provides two free hot meals daily for guests and community members experiencing food insecurity.

    • Breakfast (in-house guests): 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM

    • Dinner (community meal): 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

    • Dinner is open to any community member in need of a hot meal

    • Breakfast is available for in-house guests only

Employment, Income & Benefits

  • MI Bridges is Michigan’s online system for applying to and managing public assistance benefits, including food and healthcare.

    What You Can Apply For

    • SNAP (food assistance)

    • Medicaid and other medical benefits

    • Cash assistance and child care support

    How It Works

    • Create an account at mibridges.michigan.gov

    • Complete and submit applications online

    • Upload documents, track case status, and renew benefits electronically

    Who Can Use It

    • Michigan residents who may qualify for assistance

    • Applications are free and help is available through local agencies and MDHHS offices

  • Michigan Works! Southwest – Kalamazoo County Service Center provides employment and career support services to help job seekers find work and advance their careers.

    What They Offer

    • Job search assistance and resume help

    • Career coaching and skills assessments

    • Training programs and workforce development opportunities

    • Employer connections and hiring events

    How It Works

    • Walk-in and appointment-based services available

    • Staff help with job applications, career planning, and accessing training resources

    Who Can Use It

    • Job seekers, underemployed workers, and individuals exploring career changes

    • Employers seeking workforce recruitment and hiring support

  • Disability Network Southwest Michigan provides advocacy, support, and resources to help people with disabilities live independently and fully participate in their communities.

    What They Offer

    • Individual advocacy and peer support

    • Independent living skills training

    • Assistance with housing, employment, and benefits navigation

    • Information and referral services

    • Community education and disability rights support

    How It Works

    • Services are free and confidential

    • Support is person-centered and based on individual goals

    Who Can Use It

    • People with disabilities of all ages

    • Family members, caregivers, and community partners seeking guidance

  • Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI/SSI) provide financial and medical support to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability.

    What You Can Apply For

    • SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) for people with sufficient work history

    • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for people with limited income and resources

    How It Works

    • Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at a local Social Security office

    • Submit medical records, work history, and supporting documentation

    • Applications may take several months and can be appealed if denied

    Who Can Use It

    • Adults and children with disabilities that limit their ability to work or function

    • Individuals meeting Social Security’s medical and financial eligibility criteria