WIC now accepted at Meijer, upcoming school supply distributions, free mobile clinic, and more

WIC now accepted at Meijer, upcoming school supply distributions, free mobile clinic, and more

E-Newsletter | Rep. Kara Hope | Aug. 14, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

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

Families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can now use their benefits for online purchases from all Meijer stores in Michigan.

Food that cannot be purchased using WIC benefits can be bought using a different payment method in the same transaction. Shoppers can choose between curbside pickup or home delivery. Meijer is the first retailer in Michigan to offer this option for WIC recipients. More information is available here.

This weekend, families in south Lansing have two opportunities to pick up supplies for the upcoming school year. Lansing Back 2 School Community Day is taking place this Saturday, Aug. 15, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mari’s Taqueria, 3418 Pleasant Grove, in Lansing. Free school supplies will be available and food will be served. This event is open to the public. More information can be found here.

Additionally, on Sunday, Aug. 16, Elite Focus Enterprise Inc. Youth and Community Services is hosting a Back to School event from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tabernacle of David Church/LMTS Outreach Services, 2645 W. Holmes Road, in Lansing. This event is free and open to K-12 students. Registration is required, and can be completed here.

The Ingham County Health Department will host a free mobile health unit event on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cristo Rey Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, 1717 N. High St., in Lansing. More information about this and other upcoming mobile health unit events can be found under the Upcoming Events section of Ingham County Health Department website.

The Greater Lansing Food Bank’s mobile food pantry will be at New Mount Calvary Church, 3800 W. Miller Road, in Lansing on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This event is open to the public and identification is not required. The distribution may end early if food runs out. Organizers ask that participants do not line up more than 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. For more information, call the Greater Lansing Food Bank at 517-853-7800.

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 approved and sent.

Sincerely,

Kara Hope
State Representative

Students and families seeking financial aid for college are invited to register for one of MI Student Aid’s upcoming informational webinars on the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Topics that will be covered include the Community College Guarantee, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship’s eligibility requirements and award amounts, important action items for students and families, and additional resources and program information. You can view the list of upcoming webinars, register, and watch an online recording of the webinar here.

The Lansing School District is offering free meals for children and students through the “Meet Up and Eat Up” program. Meals will be distributed Monday through Friday at various locations in Lansing. Eligible participants include children 18 years old and under or individuals up to age 26 who are enrolled in an education program for those with a mental or physical disability. More information can be found here.

Michigan’s Senior Project Fresh program offers $25 in free benefits to use on fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Eligible participants must be Michigan residents and either:

• Age 60 or older with a total household income of $28,952.50 or less for an individual, or $39,127.50 for a couple
• Age 55 and older and belong to a Michigan federally recognized tribe or urban tribal group.

The program will be open though Oct. 31. Apply online, or contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 1-888-224-3030 option 5 to find out more information. Learn more about Senior Project Fresh here.