Low-income residents of Macomb and Oakland counties who were impacted by flooding this past June and did not receive food assistance benefits during July 2021 can soon apply for federal Disaster Food Assistance Program benefits, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office announced Tuesday.

Michigan’s Bridge Card system is switching to a new digital provider, and access to benefits will be temporarily unavailable over the weekend amid the switch.

Michigan Medicine and Food Gatherers are hosting their fourth food and toiletry drive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One-time payment to benefit eligible low-income households.

Michigan residents receiving food assistance will get additional benefits in June thanks to federal COVID funding.

Food Gatherers aims to make finding food in Washtenaw County easier through its new website.

Food assistance benefits that were put in place last year due to COVID-19 have been extended through May 4 for Michiganders who need them, officials said.

The state of Michigan is expanding its food assistance program in an effort to ensure college students struggling financially during the COVID pandemic can get help buying food. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Wednesday that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits program will expand to low-income college students starting Thursday, April 1. Related: Michigan gains federal approval for second round of Pandemic-EBT benefitsAdThis could make about 200,000 more Michigan college students eligible. This is the second action taken by MDHHS during the pandemic to help college students buy food. Working with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, MDHHS last year expanded food assistance eligibility to many college students enrolled in career and technical education programs.

DETROIT – A new food movement is sweeping the nation to help families affected by the pandemic. The idea, Lasagna Love, is helping ease food insecurity for families. I drive around,” Jolie Abreu with Lasagna Love said. “We went from 16 volunteers ... Goal is feeding families.”The organization was founded to help families facing food insecurity due to the COVID pandemic. AdClick here to learn more about Lasagna Love.

SAN MATEO, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Donated canned foods sit in a bin at San Mateo High School on November 29, 2017 in San Mateo, California. San Mateo High School students are counting thousands of cans of food and donated packaged food items for their annual food drive. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR – As the Big Game approaches, Express Employment Professionals of Ann Arbor is holding a “Souper Bowl Drive” to tackle hunger in the local community. Now through Feb. 3, Express Ann Arbor will be collecting canned goods to donate to Food Gatherers. Since 2014, Express Ann Arbor has employed more than 35,000 people.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through December as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March – and now that is being extended for the month of December with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. More than 1.2 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in December to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 680,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September. “This additional food assistance is critically important to make sure Michigan residents have nutritious food to eat.”The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through November as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for November with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in November to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 682,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for October with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in September to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 800,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in August. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Community members with an active EBT/Bridge card can purchase food through the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. According to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market website, those using SNAP dollars just need to swipe their food assistance card at the market office window. Previously, Double Up program tokens were limited to $20 but the Ann Arbor Farmers Market suspended that limitation so community members can stretch their food assistance benefits even further. The Westside Farmers' Market and Pittsfield Farmers Market also support food assistance programs including the Bridge Card and Double Up Bucks programs. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 315 Detroit St.Related:

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through September as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for September with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in September to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 800,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in August. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

LANSING, Mich. – Food assistance has been extended to students pursuing technical education. The state of Michigan said federal money will help pay for the program. Roughly 16,000 low-income college students who are enrolled in career and technical education programs could be eligible for SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “These SNAP benefits will help them focus on their educational needs and prepare for a successful future.”Previous eligibility requirements had made it harder for technical students to qualify for food assistance. “Expanding access to SNAP is a huge benefit to students who are juggling their courses along with work, family and other obligations,” said Mike Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. This article is sponsored by Gleaners Community Food BankIts been a challenging summer for everyone and even more so for those facing hardships with concerns of feeding their family. Gerry Brisson, President, and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank said that Gleaners has food banks all across Michigan. Rick Hampson, President of Citizens Bank Michigan explained that Citizens Bank has been committed to partnering with Gleaners for 10 years They are focused on the basic need of hunger and helping those in the community. Citizens Bank Michigan is continuing to match donations and double what you give to help those in need.

Danielle Miller, WaterfordA volunteer hands a box of food and supplies to a family in need. (WDIV)OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. Lighthouse of Oakland County has been servicing community members in the area for 48 years now. A legacy of do-goodersJames McQueen is the community outreach and pantry manager for Lighthouse. Those boxes filled with food and everyday household supplies ready to be deployed to families in need. James McQueen, community outreach director and pantry manager for Lighthouse talks about their volunteers.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through August as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through July – and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. “The department wants to provide additional assistance to help them through this health care and economic emergency.”Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by August 30, with payments beginning for some households on Thursday, Aug. 20. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in August to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 700,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in June.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – An annual food drive by Ann Arbor Boy Scout Troop 4 has collected funds for Food Gatherers that will provide 127,000 meals. The funds will support Food Gatherers’ COVID-19 response and programs within Washtenaw County as community partners report a significant rise in food insecurity. For 15 years, the troop has hosted the “Tim Esch Scouting for Food Birthday Party” in honor of Eagle Scout Tim Esch as part of the food drive. Each year the annual food drive collects donations and non-perishable foods by going door-to-door. To honor him, the food drive is done on the weekend of his birthday.

Additional benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been available to Michigan residents as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic left many struggling financially. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s where we stand Tuesday morningOfficials announced Tuesday that the additional resources -- which ensure eligible families can receive maximum monthly SNAP benefits amid the pandemic -- will continue to be available through the end of May. Additional resources were originally only approved for March and April; however, residents are still facing financial hardships due to the pandemic with record levels of unemployment present in the state. I will continue working around the clock to ensure Michigan families can access the food they need as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”The additional benefits will continue to serve about 350,000 Michigan households who could not access the maximum monthly benefits prior to the pandemic, officials said. About 1.5 million people in Michigan received SNAP benefits in April in total.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – During a time of increased need, volunteers and Washtenaw County organizations have stepped up to help Hope Clinic offer more groceries and services to community members. In the past month, there has been an increased demand for the services offered by Hope Clinic. Half of the households using the clinic’s medical, dental and food assistance services are new and demand for grocery assistance has tripled. But hope is never cancelled, and neither is Hope Clinic. GameAbove, an alumni group at Eastern Michigan University, raised over $50,000 for Hope Clinic.

WASHINGTON – Michigan is the first state approved to operate the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program amid the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday. The Pandemic EBT program will provide assistance to families with children that are eligible for free or reduced-price meals amid the state’s school closures, officials said. The program is meant to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school. The USDA reports that nearly 750,000 children in Michigan were eligible for free- and reduced-priced lunch for the 2019-2020 school year. The USDA says the new program was authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) that was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

DETROIT – Michigan is opening up additional food assistance benefits and suspending SNAP work requirements to assist residents during the coronavirus outbreak. About 350,000 Michigan families will have access to additional food assistance benefits as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak and about 27,000 individuals will be temporarily exempt from federal work requirements, Gov. Additional Food Assistance BenefitsHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in March and April to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Monday, March 30. Without the waiver due to COVID-19, they could only receive food assistance benefits for up to three months within a 36-month period without meeting work requirements.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Hope Clinic has announced that it will start serving additional hot meals to those in need during the week. In a statement released by Hope Clinic, the fully prepared hot meals were introduced in early October so as to address a gap in community services. The additional meals will run through mid-January of 2020 as Hope Clinic reassess community needs. (Hope Clinic)“We are excited to be doubling the number of meals served at Hope,” said executive director Douglas Campbell in the recent announcement. A community organization, Hope Clinic feeds those who are food-insecure within Washtenaw County.