🦃 Happy Thanksgiving – Important Food Resources and More! 

Dear Neighbor,     

Happy holidays! The holiday season is officially upon us, and with that, I hope you get a chance to enjoy some delicious comfort food, quality time with your loved ones, and a moment of reflection to give thanks.     

It’s the season of gratitude, so I’m taking this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you in the state Senate. Getting to advocate on behalf of so many constituents engaged in state government is an honor that I don’t take lightly. I’m grateful our community has entrusted me to be a voice for change. And, of course, I could not do any of what I do without my amazing and talented staff, for whom I am so thankful.  

As a reminder, my office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday starting Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29.   

If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or if you need assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me by sending an email to SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov  or by calling (517) 373-6960.   

In Service,

Sarah Anthony  
State Senator  
District 21  

• Catholic Charities IEC is hosting its annual free Community Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, November 28, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St. Lansing, MI, 48906.  
• From continuing the free school meals program for our students to ensuring seniors across our state can access food assistance, my colleagues and I have made significant groundwork in combating food insecurity in Michigan. Click here to learn more about the different ways Senate Democrats have been tackling hunger across the state. 
• This November, I hope you’ll join me in honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of tribal communities here in our state and across the nation in recognition of Native American Heritage Month. 

November’s Community Conversation 

Thank you to everyone who joined me at Sophia’s House of Pancakes in Grand Ledge for our coffee hour — and a HUGE thank you to Sophia’s House of Pancakes for hosting! It was wonderful to connect, share ideas, and hear your thoughts on the issues that matter most to our community. I’m looking forward to more great conversations! 

Local Food Resources for this Thanksgiving 

Everyone deserves to have a happy and hunger-free Thanksgiving. Below, you’ll find some valuable local resources for food accessibility that I believe are important to share. There’s also information about a free Thanksgiving meal. If you are fortunate enough not to worry about food accessibility, please consider donating food or volunteering at a local food pantry. You can find links to more information on how to do so below. 

Greater Lansing Foodbank serves the seven mid-Michigan counties of Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella and Shiawassee. You can find a food pantry near you here.   

Use these links to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to donate food.  

Cristo Rey Community Center provides food access programming to vulnerable individuals and families in the Lansing area who are food insecure or suffer from hunger.  

Use these links to learn more about volunteer opportunities and to donate money. You can also donate food and other essentials here.  

Community Thanksgiving Meal at Cristo Rey Community Center 

Catholic Charities IEC is hosting its annual Community Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, November 28, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St. Lansing, MI, 48906. 

You can donate to the Thanksgiving meal here.  

Cristo Rey’s Community Kitchen — 1717 N. High St. Lansing, MI, 48906 
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Provides breakfast and lunch to community members. All are eligible and welcome to receive food. 

Cristo Rey’s Food Pantry — 1717 N. High St. Lansing, MI, 48906. 
Hours: By appointment only. Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
All are eligible and welcome to receive food. It’s recommended to schedule your appointment in advance by calling (571) 372-4700. 

All households are able to get two loaves of bread, five days a week, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Walk-in emergency food kits are given to those without permanent residency. 

Tri-County Office on Aging offers Senior Dining Sites that provide senior community members with good company, wholesome food, and educational and entertaining activities. Payment is not required; donations are appreciated. Contact your local dining site to reserve a meal.  

You can also volunteer with or donate to the Tri-County Office on Again to help support them. 

Tackling Food Insecurity This Thanksgiving  

Thanksgiving is observed tomorrow, Thursday, November 28, and I hope you are able to take some time to rest and gather with loved ones. There’s so much to reflect on and show thanks for this holiday season.  

It’s also important to recognize that many families face distinct challenges during this time of year, from working hard to pay bills on time to struggling to put food on the table. With about one in eight Michigan households dealing with the devastating effects of food insecurity, it goes without saying — hunger is a grave problem in our state, and it comes with serious consequences, impacting health, financial stability, and overall well-being.    

From continuing the free school meals program for our students to ensuring seniors across our state can access food assistance, my colleagues and I have made significant groundwork in combating food insecurity in Michigan. Click here to learn more about the different ways Senate Democrats have been tackling hunger across the state, and here are some food assistance resources to keep in mind this season:   

• The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services offers various food assistance resources and programs.  
• Michigan 211 helps locate local programs to meet food and nutrition needs, from prepared meal programs to emergency formula and baby food assistance.  
• Locate food banks in our local community, explore volunteer opportunities, and more at Feeding America – Michigan.   
• Explore the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s website to find local food bank information, assistance with SNAP benefits, and more.  

Honoring Michigan’s Native American Communities  

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities here in Michigan and across the country. As home to 12 federally recognized tribes that operate on sovereign land, Michigan’s Indigenous communities are vast and diverse.    

From raising awareness about the history of Indian boarding schools in our state to protecting tribal fishing areas, Senate Democrats have been working hard to tackle issues important to our state’s Native American communities.    

Earlier this year, legislation to ensure that Michigan’s Foster Care Review Boards work effectively with tribal governments to serve Native American children was signed into law by Gov. Whitmer. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, Michigan’s only Native American State Senator, Senate Bill 498 takes a critical step towards repairing the harm done to tribal communities by the child welfare system and will keep children better connected to their communities and cultures.    

And, just last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee favorably passed House Bill 5600 onto the Senate floor, legislation that would establish the Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison to strengthen partnerships and communication between Michigan’s tribal communities and the state legislature.    

Whether by cracking open a new book written by a local Native American author or making plans to visit any of the four must-see Native American cultural sites in our state, I hope you’ll join me in honoring and uplifting Michigan’s resilient Indigenous communities who’ve been here for millennia and are here to stay.