The coronavirus hit Southern Michigan particularly hard this spring and summer, with Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties combining to make up 57 percent of the state’s 82,000 cases.
There’s also the fact around 340,000 unemployment claims coming from Michigan residents were flagged for fraud – resulting in 200,000 not receiving payments until recently and under 140,000 still under investigation. And combine that with the fact that some of the state’s COVID-19-related assistance programs and forbearance periods are nearing end dates, and it’s been difficult financially for hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents.
But the American Legion Department of Michigan has been trying to alleviate some of the stress for those veterans and others impacted by the pandemic. Since June, the department has been teaming up with Gleaners Community Food Bank to distribute more than 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food to veterans, seniors and families in need.
Check out the work at the American Legion by clicking the button below: