United Way of Washtenaw County has granted $50,000 to five local organizations that help women and families maintain financial stability.

The Power of the Purse event is back in-person this year at WCC's Morris Lawrence Building.

The owner of Argus Farm Stop is honored for helping support local farmers, her volunteering and philanthropic efforts.

“This year’s Power of the Purse grant recipients are working in various ways to address the essential needs of women and their families as they navigate returns to school, work, and greater home stability," said UWWC Vice President of Impact and Advocacy Bridget Herrman.

The virtual event showcases influential women in Washtenaw County and has named a woman of the year every year since 2009.

United Way of Washtenaw County has named Washtenaw County Health Department Health Officer Jimena Loveluck as its 2022 Woman of the Year.

ANN ARBOR – United Way of Washtenaw County’s Power of the Purse benefit will be moving online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets are now available for the March 10 event that will honor UWWC’s 2021 Woman of the Year, Food Gatherers’ CEO and President, Eileen Spring. Spring was chosen by the Power of the Purse committee for her accomplishments in food system security, innovation and community leadership. To date, the Power of the Purse event has allowed the UWWC Women’s Leadership Initiative to grant over $260,000 for women’s programs in Washtenaw County. Spring has been at the helm of Food Gatherers for 27 years and helped develop the organization’s Food Security Plan, which played an integral role when the coronavirus pandemic hit the area.

ANN ARBOR – Food Gatherers president and CEO, Eileen Spring, has been named United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2021 Woman of the Year. The award is given by UWWC’s Women United group to women who demonstrate leadership and commitment to the local community. Spring will be honored at UWWC’s annual “Power of the Purse” event on March 10, 2021, which will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spring was central in developing a food security plan in response to the increased need due to the pandemic. From June 2019 to June 2020, Food Gatherers distributed 7.8 million pounds of food to those in need.