The United Way Offers Endless Opportunities to Support Bismarck-Mandan Residents in Need

When you ask Jena Gullo, Executive Director of the Missouri Slope Area United Way, about the services her organization offers, you wonder how she finds time to take a breath while listing them out. The United Way works with more than 30 local service providers in the region to support residents in its Center for Opportunity, shares its resources with 42 local non-profits, and even has a partnership with Bismarck Public Schools to make sure kids don’t go hungry over the summer.

“You only need one person to make a difference,” says Gullo. “But think about how many problems we can solve if we all come together to tackle things that matter to us.” 

You don’t need a lot of money to make a difference with the United Way, and you don’t even need a lot of time. If you want to Make Your Mark, all you need is a passion for helping others in the community. Learn more about the great work the local United Way chapter does and how businesses and individuals can support its efforts. 

The Center for Opportunity Provides Shelter and Services for More Than 100 Residents 

The United Way provides food, shelter, and resources for some of Bismarck-Mandan's most vulnerable residents. In 2023, it opened the Center For Opportunity where more than 100 men, women, and families can get back on their feet and receive the services they need.

“We had been asked years ago to temporarily shelter the homeless,” says Gullo. “And it became permanent because it was a major gap in the community.”

The Center for Opportunity serves people who are recovering from addiction, many who were recently released from prison, or who live with mental health challenges. It supports families that are overwhelmed by bills and people who are injured and cannot work.

This facility is more than just a shelter. The United Way works with dozens of partners across the region to provide valuable onsite services for families. Some groups help with securing vital documents like birth certificates and social security cards. Others assist with finding employment, receiving mental health care, and even getting physical therapy. The local YMCA provides onsite childcare so parents can look for work.

“The hard work of United Way staff, volunteers, and partners does not go unnoticed in Bismarck” says Nathan Schneider, Vice President of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. “The Center for Opportunity is a place where anyone can feel welcome, take a hot shower, and get the hygiene and laundry supplies they need. The United Way is focused on empowering residents so they can restart their lives in the local community.” 

The United Way is Powered By Hundreds of Bismarck Volunteers

The Center for Opportunity is just one service the United Way provides to the community. This organization does a variety of drives, events, and activities that support different groups of people.

The United Way partners with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to make sure more than 4,000 children receive age-appropriate books in the mail each month. The organization also fills backpacks full of food for children to eat over the weekend when they cannot get school meals. It has filled more than 30,000 backpacks for more than 1,600 children this past year.

In June, the United Way hosts a Community Baby Shower for at-risk mothers who need diapers, wipes, and supplies. The annual Little Black Dress Campaign in September is both a monetary fundraiser and a tool to raise awareness about poverty in the region.  

Anyone in Bismarck Mandan can support the United Way in its efforts to help residents in need. If you only have the budget to give a few packs of diapers, that makes an impact. If you can only volunteer a few hours each month to fill backpacks, it still helps. 

The United Way Shares Its Resources With Local Nonprofit Organizations

United Way is a great place to start with your volunteer efforts because Gullo and her team can help you tap into your passion for helping others. Your efforts could be a good fit for the Center of Opportunity or one of the other nonprofit agencies that the United Way works with. This organization is always eager for new volunteers, businesses that organize Days of Caring with their staff, or companies that are willing to sponsor events and programs.

The United Way also developed VolunteerBisMan.com which connects more than 2,000 volunteers to service opportunities. Nonprofit organizations can post what they need and volunteers can respond with their interest and availability. Members of the community can also receive alerts related to their specific interests. This is a great way for residents to get involved while learning about new volunteer opportunities in the region.  

The United Way Highlights How Bismarck Mandan Residents Care

While Gullo leads the United Way, the efforts of this organization are made possible by the countless staff, volunteers, and sponsors who contribute each year. Members of the Bismarck Mandan community give their time and resources to support those in need. Everyone works together to support vulnerable populations so they have brighter futures.

Learn about other ways that residents Make their Mark, keeping Bismarck Mandan a wonderful place to live.