The holiday season is here, Michigan. From spending time with your loved ones to giving back to your community, this is a time for all





*November 26**, 2024*



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Dear Friend, 

The holiday season is here, Michigan.

From spending time with your loved ones to giving back to your community, this is a time for all of us to come together and make sure everyone is taken care of.

Here in Michigan, we give back and look out for one another. That’s why my staff and I recently volunteered at the Greater Lansing Food Bank, an incredible organization that delivers millions of pounds of food to families across Mid-Michigan.

This Thanksgiving, I urge you to find a way to give back to your community, extend a helping hand to a neighbor, or visit a friend or family member who you haven’t seen in a while.

Making sure our communities are safe and healthy is one of my top priorities this holiday season and year-round, which includes making sure Michigan families have access to nutritious, affordable meals. Since I took office, I have made it a priority to strengthen Michigan’s food assistance programs and improve food security in our great state. If you or someone you know needs help getting access to nutritious and affordable food, please see the resources below.

As we celebrate this holiday season, I also know that expenses can add up. I want you to know that we will continue to do what we can to lower costs and help Michigan families keep more of their hard-earned money and put food on the table.

Wishing you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving.

Many Thanks,

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Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

*Volunteering Opportunities  *

This month, I volunteered at the Greater Lansing Food Bank with my staff to help pack boxes of dinners and snacks for families, and we had a lot of fun in the process.

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and support those in need. Whether you’re donating to a food bank or serving meals at a local shelter, your efforts can make a difference.

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*Volunteer in My Community* [ [link removed] ]


To find ways to give back to your community, check out Michigan Volunteers [ [link removed] ].

*Michigan Food Assistance *

My administration has worked to ensure that every Michigander has access to the resources they need to thrive. The Michigan Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps eligible individuals and families purchase nutritious food. Whether you need food right now or ongoing support, there are resources to help.

_How to Apply for SNAP Benefits_

You can apply for food assistance, check your eligibility status, and manage your SNAP benefits online via MI Bridges provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Visit the MI Bridges website to start the application process. Use MI Bridges to apply for assistance, check your eligibility status, and manage your account online [ [link removed] ]. [ [link removed] ]

_Find a Local Food Assistance or Prepared Meals_

Call *211 or visit *mi211.org/food-assistance [ [link removed] ] to find local food pantries and food banks, or to learn more about getting the food support you and your family may need.

For other support, from housing to paying the bills, Michigan 2-1-1 is here for you. Just call, text, or search online and they will get you connected to support in your community. Visit mi211.org [ [link removed] ].

*Lowering Costs for Michiganders  *

I know the holiday season can be expensive. I want you to know that we will continue working to lower costs and help you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. In the past few years, we’ve made significant strides to lower costs for Michigan families. I understand that rising costs can put a strain on families and communities across Michigan. Whether you’re in college, have kids in school, or are ready to retire, we’re doing what we can to help make your life more affordable.


* By rolling back the retirement tax, saving seniors an average of *$1,000* a year, quintupling the Working Families Tax Credit from *6% to 30%*, and providing free school meals for all *4 million* public school students, we’re putting money back in pockets and helping families thrive.

* By expanding access to *free pre-K for Michigan four-year-olds*, prioritizing those who need it most, we are saving families *$10,000 *a year and giving kids a solid academic foundation.

* We are lowering the cost of higher education for everyone with:
* *Community College Guarantee*, delivering two years of in-district community college *tuition-free* for Michigan high school graduates, helping nearly 20,000 young people save up to *$4,800*.
* *Michigan Achievement Scholarship,* lowering the cost of college by thousands of dollars a year—up to *$27,500* over 5 years—for a majority of graduating high school seniors.
* *Michigan Reconnect*, providing *tuition-free* pathways for adult learners 21 and older.


* We are working to lower the cost of housing by expanding supply and lowering energy costs. This year, MSDHA is making the largest investment to build, rehab, or permit housing in Michigan history—a *$1.4 billion* investment for *10,000 *homes, without raising taxes by a dime. They will keep this progress going next year, too. The historic clean energy package I signed into law last year, combined with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, is estimated to drive down household energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year and save Michigan billions in public health costs.







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