Holiday programs serve those in need in Meridian Township

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The Meridian Cares Team is looking for volunteers to help this holiday season with special programs.

Programs that include connecting resident households with food baskets, hosting a coat drive to help keep our community warm and coordinating. Be a Santa to a Senior, which connects low-income seniors with a gift for the holidays.

“These programs play a few key roles for the community,” said Darla Jackson, human services specialist for Meridian Township. “First, they help bring the community together, working to help ensure that no one is left behind. They also help make sure that everyone’s basic needs are met at a time when household budgets are usually quite stretched.”  

These holiday programs also raise awareness of the fact that there is a population in Meridian Township that struggles – about 12% or 5,300 residents live below the poverty level.

“I’m familiar with the day-to-day struggles that our low-income households face, and know that a little help during the holidays can make a big difference,” said Jackson. “Everyone working together makes for a better community, and I am proud to be a part of the team.” 

“It takes an army,” said Kathryn Prout, facilities manager at St. Luke Lutheran Church. 

The team at Meridian Cares team includes is comprised of a Human Services Specialist and the eight members of the Meridian Township Community Resources Commission, who serve two-year terms, but that doesn’t mean they still don’t need outside help.

For the coat drive, coats are collected in the Meridian Township Municipal Building then delivered to St. Luke Lutheran Church for distribution.  There will also be a coat drive held on November 20th. Meridian Farmers Market, which will be held in conjunction with the Meridian Township Green Team.

Image of a pile of coats for the coat drive

Katie Reichel

Image of a pile of coats for the coat drive

“The coat drive is a perfect chance for Meridian’s Green Team to get involved, because in a sense we are recycling these coats,” said LeRoy Harvery, Meridian’s environmental programs coordinator.

Other organizations that help out include Senior Care, Community Mental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Tri-County Office on Aging and Buhl Little Estate Planning for the Be a Santa to a Senior program. Holiday food baskets usually have about six to ten sponsors per year. Sponsors are mostly churches and service organizations, but they have also been businesses and scout troops.

“The Meridian community has always been outstanding in helping out,” said Jackson.  “Whether it’s the variety of churches and service organizations that provide food to our residents or people that fulfill the wishes of vulnerable seniors, we try to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy the holidays as much as possible.” 

Audio Clip of LeRoy Harvey Discussing the Meridian Cares coat drive/ Video Credit: Katie Reichel

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