July winner

It’s easy to be a CARESgiver!

892 Votes
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CARES in Farmington Hills, Michigan, offers comprehensive support services to individuals and families in their service area who are in need or have limited access to everyday necessities due to insufficient financial resources or family instability.

CARES stands for Community Action Resources Empowerment Services. What started as a small food pantry operating out of a church has grown over the years into a multifaceted nonprofit serving over 600 families each month.

CARES provides nine communities in the greater Detroit area with access to food and personal care items — as well as social services. A full-service market, sponsored by Busch’s Fresh Food Market, serves all community members. Proceeds from the market support the free food pantry.

 

Care for the whole person

According to the Food Security Council of Michigan, approximately 1.9 million Michiganders were struggling to buy the healthy food they need in 2020 and 2021, and the need continues. To better serve people experiencing the fear and stress of wondering where their next meal will come from, CARES offers additional services to support all aspects of well-being — mind, body and soul.

 

“The insurance industry tends to attract people who want to help.”

– Kim Bergstrom, owner, Bergstrom Insurance Agency

 

The organization hosts recovery programs and facilitates access to other community and county support services, such as Women Infant & Children (WIC), Veterans Services, Rebuilding Together SE MI (home repairs for low-income families) and Another Day Resource Center (supporting homeless individuals with food and clothing).

 

Kindness builds community

In the summer of 2022, Bergstrom Insurance Agency owners Kim Bergstrom and Erica Bergstrom-West began discussing with Erin Dougherty, office manager at Bergstrom, ways to give back to their community in a direct and tangible way. Erica proposed reaching out to CARES’ director of business and volunteer development, Marcia Rodeheffer, with whom she’d worked previously.

 

“CARES is very fortunate to have wonderful business partners like Bergstrom Insurance Agency. Thanks to their generous support, our pantry is stocked with needed items every month.”

– Marcia Rodeheffer, Director of Business and Volunteer Development, CARES

 

Erin toured the CARES complex with Marcia and discovered that CARES has a constant need for non-food items like shampoo, conditioner, soap, diapers and baby wipes. “No one should have to experience the indignity of going without basic necessities. That’s why we’re committed to helping CARES keep pantries stocked,” says Kim, adding, “The insurance industry tends to attract people who want to help.” To address the need, Bergstrom staff decided to set up a permanent collection bin in their Farmington Hills office.

 

Supporting dignity and respect for all

But their efforts didn’t stop there. This spring the agency sent postcards to more than 1,200 clients to raise awareness of the CARES mission and encourage donations. As a result, CARES received generous donations of items as well as funding.

Every month, Erin brings much-needed items from Bergstrom’s collection bin to help stock the CARES pantry. “CARES is very fortunate to have wonderful business partners like Bergstrom Insurance Agency. Thanks to their generous support, our pantry is stocked with needed items every month,” says Marcia.

 

You can make a difference

Your vote can help ensure CARES can continue to serve their community now and for years to come as the donation will be used directly to purchase the food to feed 600+ families each month. Help Bergstrom Insurance Agency win an additional $5,000 for CARES in Farmington Hills by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by July 31, 2023.

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Christina Mui
1 year ago

Thanks for supporting CARES!!

Emily Lahr
1 year ago

Looks like a great group supporting a great cause. Good luck!!!

Kathy Gilson
1 year ago

Thank you so much for supporting Cares! Together we can make a difference.

Chris Fontichiaro
1 year ago

Proud to be a part of the CARES family!

JTT
1 year ago

CARES does so much good for so many people! Happy to support.

Annmarie K
1 year ago

CARES is a valuable asset to the community and helps so many families!

Kathy
1 year ago

C.A.R.E.S. Is a vital part of our community very worthy of our support for all they do to care for others.❤️

Zachary Dixon
1 year ago

CARES does an amazing job CARE-ing for the community. Thank you CARES and Bergstrom!

Kathy Kiehl
1 year ago

CARES is so important to the community. Please show them some support.

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

CARES is great. Keep up the great work.

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Great organization and great people who manage CARES as well as those that volunteer.

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

What a great organization for the surrounding communities. Go!!!!

Dave Reamer
1 year ago

The name says it all..C.A.R.E.S

Cindy Persitz
1 year ago

C.A.R.E.S. is a wonderful organization providing a much needed service in a mindful and respectful manner.

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Keep up the great work C.A.R.E.S!!!!!!

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Keep up the great community service.

Celeste Aiello Gordon
1 year ago

Happy to support such a vital and compassionate program. Go C.A.R.E.S.!

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

C.A.R.E.S does a great job supporting all communities.

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Keep up the great work.!!

Mariah Kulkin
1 year ago

Congrats!

Danielle Shearer
1 year ago

Thank you for CARING for others!

Kayla Chiara
1 year ago

Go team!

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Let’s go C.A.R.E.S.!!!!!!

Drew Marshall
1 year ago

Let’s CARES

Elizabeth Allen
1 year ago

This is awesome!

MARY BLOWERS
1 year ago

CARES is wonderful organization that I am proud to be proud of!

Margaret
1 year ago

CARES has been such a blessing. As a disabled person, it has truly been a lifeline. Thank you!

Patti Kelly
1 year ago

CARES is the best!

Wells Rehab & Wellness
1 year ago

Thank you Bergstrom, all the volunteers and donors for supporting CARES! A wonderful organization to have in our community

Erin Dougherty
1 year ago

We love CARES!!!

Craig Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Loved all the businesses that participate

Morgan Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Let’s go CARES!

Carol J Greeningz
1 year ago

Thank you to Bergstrom Insurance for your ongoing support of the CARES organization!

Todd
1 year ago

Thank You!!! The CARES 600 plus families appreciate your Kindness, Compassion and Caring for others.

Marcia Rodeheffer
1 year ago

Thank you Bergstrom Agency for generous support!

Catherine A Koenig
1 year ago

Congratulations to Bergstrom Insurance Agency and CARES!

Jill
1 year ago

Let’s go CARES!

Erin Dougherty
1 year ago

Let’s go CARES!!!!!

Sarah Hayes
1 year ago

Let’s go Bergstrom!

Lisa Hartt
1 year ago

Keep up the great work, Bergstrom Insurance Agency!

Jeffrey Jansing
1 year ago

Awesome cause!

Kory Farthing
1 year ago

Congrats!!

Angie Cornman
1 year ago

Thank you for what you do!

Stacey Mitchell
1 year ago

What a great story of how kindness can make a HUGE impact on entire communities! Keep up the great work Bergstrom Insurance!

Brandi Sheets
1 year ago

Congrats!! Thank you, Bergstrom Insurance, for supporting your community!

Ben Reynolds
1 year ago

Thank you for all you do for the community.

Paul Kennedy
1 year ago

Congrats!!

Jessica Greene
1 year ago

congrats to this amazing organization and to our wonderful partners at Bergstrom Insurance! We love working with you and are so excited to help support CARES and the Farmington Hills community. Thanks for all that you do!

Drew Marshall
1 year ago

Let’s do all we can to help CARES and support Bergstrom Insurance as well! Wonderful agency and wonderful organization helping their community!

Jennifer Frederick
1 year ago

I love Bergstrom Insurance! The office is filled with people who truly care!

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