Utility Assistance
Who: Households struggling to pay their utility bills*
What: Assistance paying for past due utility bills, propane, wood, water and sewer bills, and minor septic repairs, and more
Where: Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola Counties
How: Call the office nearest you
          Bay City: 989-894-9060
          Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
          Farwell: 989-386-3805
          Gladwin: 989-426-2801
​          Hart: 231-923-3066
          Midland: 989-832-7377
          Muskegon: 231-557-7622
          Reed City: 231-791-7078
*Who: Renters who are behind on their utility bills and impacted by COVID-19
What: Assistance paying for electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash bills
Where: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties
How: Complete the CERA application online through MSHDA’s portal 
          Learn more and find the printable applications here
          Applications and supporting documents not submitted through the                      portal can be submitted via
                 Email to CERA@mmcaa.org
                 Fax to 989-386-3277
                 Mail to Mid Michigan Community Action, ATTN: CERA
                             PO Box 768
​                             Farwell, MI 48622
Contact CERA@mmcaa.org with any questions

Homeless
Who: Those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless
What: Help for those who are homeless to find stable housing and those in danger of becoming homeless to maintain housing
Where: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties
​How: Call or text 1-877-213-5955
​Additional service areas are available for Veterans and their families; click here for more information

Employment Support
Who: Individuals who are employed or have a job offer, but need assistance to keep the job
What: Help purchasing uniforms, required tools, auto repair, driver's license fees, and more
Where: Bay, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties
How: Call the office nearest you
          Bay City: 989-894-9060
          Hart: 231-923-3066
          Muskegon: 231-557-7622
Additional services and service areas are available for Veterans and their families; click here for more information

Money Management
Who: Those who would like to learn about budgeting and money management from home
What: Online financial capability tools
Where: Online course
How: Visit ​eMoney Management

Tax Preparation Assistance
Who: Community members and seniors 
What: Assistance preparing and submitting income taxes
Where: Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties
When: January 31-April 18
How: Call the office nearest you
          Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
          Farwell: 989-386-3805
          Gladwin: 989-426-2801
          Reed City: 231-791-7078
To check the status of your return, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool.

Clare County Food Pantry
Who: Clare County residents in need of emergency food
What: Food and personal care items
Where: ​​Food Warehouse, 2300 E Ludington Drive, Clare
How: Call 989-386-3805 to schedule an appointment

Food
Who: Households in need of emergency food
What: A free box of food
Where: View the calendar below to find the location nearest you
When: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
How: Register at the next distribution site near you
Monthly distributions are available for seniors

Quarterly Food Distribution Calendar

View the full calendar.
Commodity food distributions are continuing as scheduled with a few changes to ensure the health and safety of all involved: Please remain in your vehicle when you arrive at the site. We will be checking you in from your car and will place your food box in your trunk.  If the line is too full to safely enter, please park your vehicle in a parking spot and wait. Do not block entrances or exits with your vehicle. We will remain on site until all customers have received their food. Private site distributions will also continue. We will modify our procedures for each unique setting.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider