State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township), third from left, standing with other community officials in front of Michigan’s first smart food lockers in Eaton County on Sept. 10, 2024.
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 10, 2024 — State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) ceremoniously cut the ribbon to open Michigan’s first smart food locker on Tuesday. Located at the U-M Sparrow Eaton County Hospital, these lockers will provide 24/7 access to refrigerated and shelf-safe food to residents facing food insecurity.
“Having reliable access to food makes all the difference for families struggling to get back on their feet and lead healthy lives,” Witwer said. “These lockers ensure our neighbors in need can access nutritious meals even when food pantries and shelters are not open, giving Michiganders more access than ever to no-cost groceries.”
Multiple local organizations pitched in to make Michigan’s first food lockers a reality, including Eaton Community Health, the Greater Lansing Food Bank and Our Community Foundation. Eligible residents who are food insecure due to economic hardship can receive a code from Eaton Community Health to access the food lockers at all hours.
“These lockers are evidence of the immense care this community has for its own,” Witwer said. “I am grateful to Eaton Community Health for spearheading this project to help our neighbors keep food on the table. These lockers are not only fighting food insecurity in Eaton County, but bringing new innovation to combat food insecurity in Michigan.”
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