The Giving Back Task Force is a coordinated by Saginaw Community Foundation and United Way of Saginaw County.

In 2002, the Saginaw Community Foundation and the United Way of Saginaw County organized a focus group comprising students and staff representing eight area high schools in response to Gen. Colin Powell’s America’s Promise program, which challenged communities to provide five promises to youth: a healthy start, caring adults, safe places, marketable skills, and opportunities for giving back.

In response to this fifth promise, the Giving Back Task Force, organized by the Saginaw Community Foundation and the United Way of Saginaw County, organized a focus group in the spring of 2002 comprised of students and staff representing eight Saginaw County high schools. Students and staff found the exchange of service ideas enlightening. When asked what the Task Force could do to enhance opportunities to serve, the students suggested and unanimously endorsed a recommendation that the Giving Back Task Force bring students together from throughout the county to serve together on a common project.

Since 2002, hundreds of volunteers from local organizations and Saginaw County high schools join forces each spring as part of the Giving Back Task Force’s Spring Into Service event. The event’s purpose is to expand and enrich opportunities for Saginaw County students to give back to their community through service.