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A recent article reports that over 300 staff from Isabella Bank participated in their annual “Compassion into Action” volunteer day by helping 18 organizations with various projects, including packing food boxes with Mid Michigan Community Action. It's a great example of community partners coming together.

The article notes, “The efforts provide immediate relief for organizations, build long-term community resilience, and create a lasting positive impact.”

At Mid Michigan Community Action, our USDA Food Box program delivers nutritious food boxes to adults aged 60 and older across a wide network of counties: Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, Osceola, Isabella, Gratiot, Montcalm, Ionia, Clinton, Eaton, and Ottawa. With the help of volunteers and partners like Isabella Bank in packing these food boxes, we can reach older adults and provide consistent support across a wide region.

If you’d like to get involved and help us continue packing and delivering food boxes throughout the region, please visit our Volunteering page to learn more.

In the News

• Catalyst Midland: Isabella Bank’s Compassion into Action – Dedicated to making a difference in the region,  Published October 23, 2025

This feature highlighted Isabella Bank’s volunteer support, amplifying the importance of community partnerships and recognizing contributions that strengthen local programs.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is excited to announce the relocation of our Mecosta, Midland, and Oceana County Community Action Centers to new locations, allowing us to better serve our neighbors by bringing services together in more accessible spaces.

For over 50 years, Mid Michigan CAA has worked to connect individuals and families with essential resources and opportunities, helping them achieve stability and self-sufficiency. By moving these offices, we continue our mission of making support services more accessible and responsive to the needs of our communities.

Excitement for the Future
Community Empowerment Director Cherri Swanstra shared, “We’re thrilled to bring our services together in these new locations. This allows us to better serve our neighbors by making our programs more accessible and connected. We look forward to continuing our mission and strengthening the communities we serve.”

Early Head Start and WIC Director Amyee Carson added, “These moves allow us to enhance the services we provide for families. We’re excited to welcome our neighbors to these new spaces and continue supporting them with all of our amazing programs.”

Outreach and Opportunities Director Eva Rohlman, who oversees homeless and veteran programs, emphasized, “By consolidating our services in these locations, we can better coordinate and deliver resources to those who need them most. This move strengthens our ability to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families.”

Each of our Community Action Centers has a Resource Navigator on-site to help residents navigate the services available, answer questions about eligibility, and guide individuals through the application process.

New Locations

• Mecosta County–Now located at 706 Maple Street, Big Rapids, this site houses our Mecosta County Community Action Center and Early Childhood Center. Services available include Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, Water and Sewer Assistance, Homeless Assistance, and Early Head Start to promote school readiness.
• Midland County–Our Midland County Community Action Center and WIC Clinic have moved to 1717 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 103, Midland. This new location brings together essential services such as Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes  for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, Water and Sewer Assistance, Veteran Homeless Assistance, Early Head Start, and WIC services to support growing families.
• Oceana County–The Oceana County Community Action Center has relocated to 195 N Michigan Avenue, Shelby, continuing to provide critical programs such as Weatherization Assistance, USDA Food Boxes for income-eligible seniors, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling, and Water and Sewer Assistance.

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Office Hours & Contact Information
All Community Action Centers are open:

• Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
• Friday: 8 AM–4 PM
• Closed daily from 12–1 PM for lunch and on major holidays.

For more information, call or text any of our Community Action Centers:

• Bay County: 989-894-9060
• Clare County: 989-386-3805
• Gladwin County: 989-426-2801
• Mecosta County: 231-660-0271
• Midland County: 989-832-7310
• Muskegon County: 231-557-7622
• Oceana County: 231-923-3066
• Osceola County: 231-791-7078

Email: [email protected]
Visit: mmcaa.org

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Mid Michigan Community Action is committed to guiding local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education, and community enrichment. We look forward to serving our neighbors from our new locations and continuing to make a positive impact in the communities we call home.

Mid Michigan Community Action Hosts Quarterly and Senior Food Distributions
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Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) now hosts commodities distributions for those in need of food in Muskegon and Oceana Counties.

“We are proud to begin providing this critical service in Muskegon and Oceana Counties,” said Eva Rohlman, Outreach Director at Mid Michigan CAA. “We have established a public distribution site at the Ladder Community Center in Shelby and are eager to expand our services to more locations across the two counties in the coming months.”

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is for low-income seniors 60 and over and consists of two boxes distributed every other month. The next distribution is on January 30th at the Ladder Community Center in Shelby from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM.

“Senior food boxes contain USDA products aimed at filling nutrient gaps in seniors’ diets,” said Kristi Shakula, Commodities Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. “The boxes include items like canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats, cereals, grains, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, and cheese.”

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a quarterly distribution for individuals and families of all ages in need of emergency food. Quarterly distributions occur in March, May, September, and November. The next distribution is on March 27th at the Ladder Community Center in Shelby from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM.

“The quarterly food box contains products that vary from quarter to quarter. They are designed to distribute excess agricultural products to deliver food to people who can use it while minimizing food waste,” said Shakula.

To apply for either program, bring your ID to the next distribution near you. Muskegon County residents are invited to attend the Shelby distribution location.

For a complete calendar of senior distributions, visit www.mmcaa.org/seniors. For a complete calendar of quarterly distributions, visit www.mmcaa.org/economicsecurity.html#food. The calendars will be updated as new distribution sites are added. To learn more, call your local office: Muskegon County office at 231-557-7622 or Oceana County office at 231-923-3066.

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) hosts commodities distributions for those in need of emergency food.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a monthly distribution for low-income seniors 60 and over.

“Senior food boxes contain USDA products aimed at filling nutrient gaps in seniors’ diets,” said Jennifer Raymond, Food Commodities Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. “The boxes include items like canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats, cereals, grains, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, and cheese.”

To apply for CSFP, bring your ID to the next distribution near you. For a complete calendar of senior distributions, visit www.mmcaa.org/seniors or call 989-386-6849 for a recording of times and dates

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a quarterly distribution for individuals and families of all ages in need of emergency food. Quarterly distributions occur in March, June, September, and December.

“The quarterly food box contains products that vary from quarter to quarter. They are designed to distribute excess agricultural products to deliver food to people who can use it while minimizing food waste,” said Raymond.

To apply for TEFAP, attend the next distribution near you. ​For a complete calendar of quarterly distributions, visit www.mmcaa.org/economicsecurity.html#food. 

Community Action Month is a celebration of the accomplishments of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the country. CAAs are a robust state and local force, reaching individuals and families in 99 percent of America’s counties with life-changing services that create pathways to prosperity.

As part of the CAA network, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) serves Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola Counties. Over the past year, our communities have faced unprecedented challenges including a pandemic and a 500 year flood event. In the face of these obstacles, Mid Michigan CAA has adapted to serving clients through largely virtual means while continuing to administer all programs and even adding additional services as new and increased needs arose.

Last year, Mid Michigan CAA distributed 48,441 food boxes or 750 tons of food. As a response to increased food insecurity due to the pandemic, they were able to distribute 55 more tons of food than the year before.

Despite swift changes to the programs, Mid Michigan CAA’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs served 533 children last year. These programs provide support for children and families. They use a curriculum that supports school readiness and coordinate with area public schools to facilitate smooth transitioning for each child.

In the 2019 income tax season, Mid Michigan CAA processed returns for 440 households, bringing $478,566 in returns back into Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties.

Last year, Mid Michigan CAA weatherized 44 homes through the Weatherization Assistance Program. An additional 23 households received roofing repair assistance through the Housing Preservation Grant. These services make homes safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more affordable for the residents.

In 2020, Mid Michigan CAA administered the Eviction Diversion program, helping residents in 180 households stay in their homes.
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“The last year brought changes and challenges we could never have imagined. In response, we were able to expand our services and add new programs to address the needs of our communities. We are energized at being asked to serve our communities in ways we’ve never done before,” said Jill Sutton, Executive Director of Mid Michigan Community Action. “And while there is still work to be done, we are proud to continue ‘helping people, changing lives.’”