Nov. 14 Capitol and Community Updates

Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government.

Last week, Potter Park Zoo opened their new animal health facility. This facility exceeds current Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards, so zoo animals will receive the best care available. The building will also serve as an education facility for zoo visitors and MSU veterinary students. Viewing windows in the treatment, surgery, and laboratory rooms will allow zoo visitors to see veterinary procedures and animal care. This new animal health facility was made possible in part by a $2 million state grant, which I advocated for in the 2022-2023 budget.

Child and Family Charities recently celebrated the opening of the Dart Foundation Youth Drop-In & Education Center located on the Child and Family Charities campus in south Lansing. This center will provide support services and a safe space for homeless youths.

Child and Family Charities’ south Lansing location consolidates many of their services, including a shelter for runaway youth, behavioral health programs, a nonprofit hub, and a resource center for families.

I am proud to have helped return tax dollars to the 74th House District. I personally requested $550,000 in the 2025-26 budget to support the creation of the Youth Drop-In & Education Center. This funding request can be viewed here.

Please join me on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for my Know Your Rights Virtual Town Hall.

The U.S. Constitution protects our rights, but it’s critical to know what to do in the moment to protect those rights. I will be joined by special guest Lily Eggers, Organizing Strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Please register for the event here or by clicking the button below.

The federal government shutdown ended late Wednesday night. Federal workers returned to work yesterday and federal government services have resumed operations, although some service delays are expected. Furloughed federal workers will receive backpay, possibly as soon as next week. Full SNAP payments will resume, although delays may occur. (Find information on local food resources below.)

This shutdown created avoidable uncertainty and hardship nationwide, including for the 35,000 federal employees in our state and the 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on SNAP.

Michigan House Democrats are working on a vision for the future of Michigan that reflects the needs and aspirations of all Michiganders. Please fill out our brief Vision Project Survey to share your concerns and ideas about the future of our state.

Anyone who lives anywhere in Michigan is welcome to participate, so please forward the survey to friends and family members who you think might want to weigh in. The survey can be found here.

Follow my official Facebook account for the most up-to-date information. E-news contains a lot of good information, but it takes several days – up to a week – to get it approved and sent.

Sincerely,

Kara Hope
State Representative
House District 74

In Case You Missed It . . .

Now that the federal government has reopened, SNAP is scheduled to resume. In the meantime, help is available.

SNAP Resources

• Dial 2-1-1 or visit Find Help – Michigan 2-1-1 for confidential referrals to local food programs and services.
• Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan to find food banks and other hunger relief efforts near you. They can be reached at (517) 485-1202.
• Check your MI Bridges account for the latest updates on SNAP benefits.

Local Food Resources

• The Greater Lansing Food Bank collects and distributes food to a network of 140 community partners. They can be reached at (517) 853-7800 or [email protected].
• The Holt Food Bank is open by appointment only on Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2021 Aurelius Road, Holt, MI 48842. Call (517) 694-9307 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
• South Lansing Ministries is open by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1905 W. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. Call (517) 853-8073 to schedule a food pick-up.
• The Cristo Rey Community Kitchen serves hot breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday at 1717 N. High St, Lansing, MI 48906. Breakfast is served from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Cristo Rey Food Pantry (at the same location) is open by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (517) 372-4700 to schedule an appointment.
• The Southside Community Kitchen offers hot meals Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. On Monday and Wednesday, they serve lunch at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, 5509 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48911. On Tuesday and Thursday, lunch is served at Galilee Baptist Church, 2511 Reo Road, Lansing, MI 48911.
• The Holt United Methodist Church offers free community dinners on the third Wednesday of every month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 2321 North Aurelius Road, Holt, MI 48842.
• The Lansing City Rescue Mission offers daily dinner service at 415 W Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933. Attendees must sign in before 6 p.m. and bring an ID.
• The Tri-County Office on Aging’s Meals on Wheels offers home-delivered meals to residents eligible for this program in Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties.