Macomb County Food Banks Take Hit from Cuts

At a time when the floundering economy is putting a strain on food assistance programs struggling to keep up with increased demand, federal and state funding cuts are making the job harder, according to a story in Huffington Post Detroit.

“In August, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that would take $12 billion away from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, and use the money to bail out school districts in cash-strapped states,” according to the HuffPost Detroit story.

“And in October, the state began requiring financial reviews of food assistance recipients. The new regulations would disqualify those with assets of more than $5,000 in the bank, with second homes or with vehicles valued at more than $15,000, according to the Associated Press. Michigan also removed about 30,000 college students from food assistance rolls in January,” Huffpost Detroit reported.

Sue Figurski, coordinator of the Macomb Food Program, was critical of the state’s new regulations regarding evaluation of assets.

"Do you think anybody really and truly wants to be on food stamps? Not be able to take care of their family? Not the people we talk to," Figurski said in a story by Michigan Radio.

The number of people in Macomb County that has to ask for food assistance nearly doubled between 2008 and 2010, according to Michigan Radio.

In Macomb County, residents in need of food assistance can call 211 (or 1-800-552-1183) to access the United Way for support services.

The Macomb Food Program coordinates with the United Way to provide residents with locations of food pantries and food distribution warehouses in their area. The United Way food pantry and warehouse lists can be found online on their website. Residents can also contact the Macomb Food Program at (586) 469-6004 or go to their website for more information.

Some of the food pantries locations in our local communities include:

New Baltimore:

• , 50903 Maria St, New Baltimore, MI 48047, (586) 725-6304

Macomb Township:

• Cougar Closet – Community food pantry at Dakota High School
• Church of the Covenant Food Pantry, 23401 23 Mile Rd, Macomb, MI 48042, (586) 948-2440
• St. Peter Lutheran Food Pantry, 17051 24 Mile Rd, Macomb, MI 48042, 586-781-3434
• Immanuel Lutheran Church, 47120 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb, MI 48044 (586) 286-4231
• Saint Francis-Saint Maximilian Church 23965 23 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48042, (586) 598-3314

Saint Clair Shores:

• Lake Shore Presbyterian Church 27801 Jefferson Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48081, (586) 777-8533
• Saint Clair Shores Assembly of God 24905 Manhattan, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080, (586) 772-9050  
• Saint Lucy Catholic Church 23401 Jefferson Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080, (586) 447-4232 
• Saint Margaret of Scotland, 21201 Thirteen Mile Rd., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48082, (586) 293-2240

Shelby Township/Utica:

• Faith Lutheran Church 50600 Shelby Rd., Shelby Township, MI 48317,  (586) 731-8112