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Clare County has been awarded $13,323, and an additional $41,178 by the American Rescue Plan Act; Gladwin County has been awarded $10,025, and an additional $30,986 by the American Rescue Plan Act; Mecosta County has been awarded $16,680, and an additional $51,553 by the American Rescue Plan Act; and Osceola County has been awarded $9,212, and an additional $28,473 by the American Recovery Plan Act, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

A Local Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The Local Board will determine how the funds awarded to each county are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must their local Board Chair.

Clare County: Cherri Swanstra, Clare County EFSP Board Chair, at cswanstra@mmcaa.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 1, 2022 at 2:00pm via Zoom.

Gladwin County: Cherri Swanstra, Gladwin County EFSP Board Chair, at cswanstra@mmcaa.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 1, 2022 at 1:00pm via Zoom.

Mecosta County: Diane Long, Mecosta County EFSP Board Co-Chair, at br@projectstarburst.org. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 3, 2022 at 1:00pm via Zoom.

Osceola County: Malinda Coss, Osceola County EFSP Board Co-Chair, at Malinda.Coss@usc.salvationarmy.org. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 3, 2022 at 2:00pm via Zoom.

Attendance for new applicants is required.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will be providing free income tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

VITA is an IRS program managed by partners all over the country, including Community Action Agencies. IRS-trained and certified volunteers work with community members to prepare their taxes safely, confidentially, and at no cost to the community members.

Mid Michigan CAA will offer virtual and in-person return options. Social distancing practices will be required for in-person appointments.

“We are pleased to be able to offer households options for how they have their taxes prepared so we can assist the maximum number of filers,” said Eva Rohlman, Mid Michigan CAA Outreach Director. “Each year our volunteers help community members receive the most out of their returns including all credits without filing costs or hidden fees.”

The VITA program is currently scheduled to run from February 1st through April 18th, 2022, serving residents of Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties. Those interested in having their taxes prepared at no cost to them should contact call nearest office:

Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
Farwell: 989-386-3805
Gladwin: 989-426-2801
Reed City: 231-791-7078

​Mid Michigan CAA will begin scheduling appointments on January 24th.

Learn more about the tax preparation program here.

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

On January 26th Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will be completing the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count is a federally mandated annual survey to count those experiencing homelessness in the Mid Michigan area.

Mid Michigan CAA is seeking to count individuals and families including those sleeping outdoors or other places not meant for human habitation such as cars or campers, those staying in shelters, and those who are housed with emergency motel stay vouchers.

“The PIT Count helps us better understand who is experiencing homelessness and how prevalent homelessness is in our communities so we can advocate for additional resources, provide high quality services, and end homelessness in our communities,” said Jennifer Rodgers, Homeless Program Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses the data collected to help determine distribution of resources to homeless services agencies, including Mid Michigan CAA. Mid Michigan CAA works with organizations including 211, Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care, and other local organizations.

Residents of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness can call or text 877-213-5955 or email homeless@mmcaa.org.

For more information about the PIT Count, contact the PIT Coordinator for your area
—Arenac: Ron Tyll, rtyll@mmcaa.org
—Bay: Kathryn DePrekel, kathryn.deprekel@mclaren.org
—Clare and Gladwin: Erin Rubingh, erubingh@listeningear.com
—Mecosta and Osceola: Nicole Alexander, 231-629-8033 or obkexecutivedirector@gmail.com

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) has been granted $1.9 million for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) as part of the American Rescue Plan.
LIHWAP can assist residents with water and sewer bills, shut-offs, and reconnection fees.

“Access to clean, running water and safe wastewater systems are critical for the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Eva Rohlman, Mid Michigan CAA Outreach Director. “We are thrilled to be able to expand this vital service.”

Mid Michigan CAA expects to help more than 2,500 households over the next two years. LIHWAP will be available until September 30, 2023.

Residents of Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola Counties interested in water and sewer assistance should contact the Mid Michigan CAA office nearest them: Bay City at 989-894-9060, Big Rapids at 231-660-0271, Farwell at 989-386-3805, Gladwin at 989-426-2801, Hart at 231-923-3066, Midland at 989-832-7377, Muskegon at 231-557-7622 or Reed City at 231-791-7078 or email us at contactus@mmcaa.org.

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.