At its May meeting, the Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) unanimously approved mini-grant funding for five organizations, totaling $24,500. Senior Millage provides mini-grants from $500 to $5,000 to special projects in Calhoun County that serve the needs of older adults.
The City of Albion
- On March 17th at the start of the COVID crisis, the City of Albion requested $5,000 for fresh food box distribution for food-insecure seniors in the greater Albion/Homer area. Due to the urgent nature of the request, it was approved by County Administrator Kelli Scott, and then ratified by SMAC during the May meeting. A coalition of 22 churches lead by Albion First United Methodist Church has delivered 250 fresh food boxes a week to Albion and Homer area seniors age 60 and over while the Stay at Home order has been in effect. The Albion Food Hub and the Albion Homer United Way have provided leadership to this food distribution collaboration.
Albion Community Gardens
– With a $5,000 grant, Senior Millage is continuing to support a community collaboration that has intergenerational impact with youth helping seniors garden and seniors partnering to share their wisdom and experience with younger gardeners. This is a multi-racial project that involves a partnership with Albion College to involve students in the Albion Community. In 2019, Albion Community Gardens distributed over 1,000 lbs. of fresh, chemical-free, produce to Albion and Homer seniors starting with strawberries at the end of May and continuing with winter squash and greens in October.
The Haven of Rest
– A $5,000 grant to the Haven of Rest will fund a portion of the meals program. Executive Director Daniel Jones explained that seniors make up 10% of Haven guests, and this grant will help stabilize the Haven’s budget. SMAC approved funding this request after a discussion on a tour of the Haven shelter facilities that committee members took earlier this year. There is an ongoing conversation about how Senior Millage can help the growing number of older people experiencing homelessness.
The Alano Club
– Senior Millage with a $4,500 grant to the Alano Club of Battle Creek will fund the installation of a power door, to improve the accessibility of the Club when it hosts AA, Al-Anon, NA, and other recovery-focused meetings. In addition to holding meetings in their Battle Creek location, the Alano Club also supports countywide efforts to promote recovery from substance abuse by providing training for meeting facilitators.
South Michigan Food Bank
– A $5,000 grant will help establish a Fresh Food Distribution in Marshall with a partnership between the Food Bank and the Marshall United Methodist Church and the There is Enough Free Store in Marshall. Food Bank Advancement Director Summer Sunnock explained there is currently no fresh food distribution in the Marshall area, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a needed service in the community. Pastor Melany Chalker from Marshall United Methodist Church further explained the church will donate the space to hold the distribution and provide volunteers to run the distribution.
The Senior Millage Allocation Committee meets the first Friday of most months, and will meet again on Friday, June 5, 2020, at 8am via Zoom. SMAC oversees the work done by Calhoun County Senior Services, which administers the Calhoun County Senior Millage. The Senior Millage is up for renewal on August 4, 2020. Calhoun County passed its Senior Millage for the first time in 1996 and it was last renewed in 2010 with 79% approval from those voting. Calhoun County Senior Millage raises about $2.7 million annually to fund 22 different programs that provide services to Calhoun County seniors, age 60 and over. In 2019, over 6,500 older adults participated in the different programs.
