Utility Assistance
Who: Households struggling to pay their utility bills*
What: Assistance paying for past due utility bills, deliverable heating fuel, water and sewer bills, and minor septic repairs
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 those who are homeless find stable housing and those in danger of becoming homeless 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
          Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
          Reed City: 231-791-7078
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

Tax prep volunteers going through orientation
Tax prep volunteers going through orientation
Who: Community members and seniors 
What: Assistance preparing and submitting income taxes
Where: Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties
When: February 1st through May 15th, 2021
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.

Food

Quarterly food boxes (contents may vary)
Quarterly food boxes (contents may vary)
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 distribution site
Monthly distributions are available for seniors

Quarterly Food Distribution Calendar

View the full calendar.
The Harrison Distribution that was regularly at the 1st Congregational UCC is moving to the Clare County Fairgrounds beginning this month. Your reminder call will reflect the change. Contact your local outreach office with question: 989-386-3805.

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, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.