Food with Friends
Alma/St. Louis
Filling Station
415 Park Avenue, Alma
Phone: 989.875.9118
Site Manager: Sue Waber
Breckenridge/Wheeler
Wheeler Township Hall
8510 E Monroe Rd., Wheeler
Phone: 989.330.7508
Site Manager: Lori Chvojka
Fulton Township Hall
3425 W. Cleveland Rd., (M-57) Perrinton
Phone: 989.236.5019
Site Manager: Irene Noffsinger
Ithaca
Senior Activity Building
1011 E. North St., Ithaca
Phone: 989.875.2135
Site Manager: Jo Jones
Commodity Food
Distribution Date
Commodities distribution will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Anyone 60 years and older who meets the income guidelines is eligible to receive the food commodities.
Income guidelines are as follows: one person’s monthly income no more than $1,632; income per couple not to exceed $2,215 monthly. (To confirm income guidelines, please call Eight Cap.) Anyone interested in the program must contact Eight Cap at 616.754.9315. Clients may pick up commodities at the Alma Elks, 610 W. Warwick Dr., Alma from 10:00am am to 12:00 pm. or at Commission on Aging, 515 S. Pine River St., Ithaca from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Snow Removal Service
Winter has arrived and snow is falling. The Commission on Aging’s Home Chore department is ready to assist the seniors of Gratiot County with shoveling the snow.
Dan and the crew use walk behind snow blowers and shovels to clean your sidewalks, driveways and porches. Unfortunately, they are not able to clean long driveways.
All you need to do to take advantage of this service is call the COA office, 989-875-5246, on the day you need the snow cleared. Your name will be added to the list for that day. You must call each time you need the snow removed as snowfall amounts can differ across the county. There is no charge for this service, however donations are accepted and will help cover the costs of the program to keep it running. Every effort is made to complete the requests daily so don’t forget to call.
Gratiot Community Personal Needs Pantry
The residents of Gratiot County continue to be served by the Gratiot Community Personal Needs Pantry with supplemental personal care items which cannot be purchased with a Bridge/SNAP card. The pantry is able to provide a pre-packed bag containing 4 rolls of toilet paper, a tube of toothpaste, dish soap, 2 bars of soap, laundry soap and other items, if available, upon request. These items are available thanks to the generous donations received from individuals, churches, and non profit organizations.
The Personal Needs Pantry is open to all Gratiot County residents. A client may use the pantry every 28 days and will need to present identification when they come. Please come to the rear of the church and remain in your vehicle. A volunteer will meet you and provide you with your bag of items.
Location: St. Louis 1st United
Methodist Church
116 S. Franklin St., St. Louis
When: Every Thursday,
12:00-3:00 p.m.
A big thank you goes out to the volunteers of the community for their dedication to the pantry. If you have any questions, please contact the church at 989-681-3320.
Christmas Day Dinner
Hosted by Alma Elks
610 W. Warwick Dr., Alma
989-463-1400
A Christmas Day Dinner will be served through the generosity of the Alma Elks Lodge #1400 on Christmas Day from noon until 3:00 p.m.
This ham dinner is open to anyone in the community who would like a hot meal, has no place to go on Christmas day, or who wants to share this day with others. We welcome everyone!
The meal is free of charge, however donations will be accepted. The menu will be ham, scallop potatoes, vegetable, roll, and dessert.
It is necessary to call in advance to make your reservations. Please call the Elks Lodge at 989-463-1400 by December 20th.
It is not necessary to come right at noon, as dinner will be served until 3:00 . Delivery is available for homebound people in Gratiot County. Please give your address when you call in your reservation.
Thank you, Alma Elks members, for providing this wonderful community dinner!
SUPPORT
The Gratiot County Commission on Aging has recently purchased a supply of this supportive book to assist those in need. If you would like a copy, simply stop into our office to inquire. 515 South Pine River. Ithaca, MI 48847 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm.
With over 4 million copies sold, the best-selling guide to understanding and caring for people with dementia is now redesigned, revised, and updated!
For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work on the care of people with dementia and their family members. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer disease, and other dementias, the book’s authoritative and compassionate approach to care features discussions of the causes of dementia and the management of its symptoms from the early stages to late-stage disease.
This edition highlights the significant advances in diagnostic testing, treatment, and research that have occurred in recent years. Offering useful takeaway messages and informed by the latest practices in dementia care, this new edition has been thoroughly updated. It features:
• updated information on prevention, new diagnostic methods and criteria, and advances in medication therapy;
• essential insights on everything from home care aides to useful apps to promising preventive techniques and therapies; and
• practical advice for avoiding caregiver burnout—plus tips for when and how to get additional help.
Like earlier editions, the eighth edition focuses on improving the lives of those with dementia and memory loss as well as those who love and care for them. The definitive guide to dementia care, The 36-Hour Day offers readers compassionate guidance and a ready resource for every step of the journey.
Legal Services of Eastern
Michigan (LSEM)
There is a new legal service that is available for Gratiot County residents. The LSEM can assist clients who are low income, and those who are facing foreclosure, discriminated against in housing or seniors (persons 60 years of age and older) regardless of income. If you are in need of legal assistance, you will need to call the Counsel and Advocacy Law Line at 888-783-8190 where you will asked about your issue.
Hours of operation are:
Mon. -Tues., 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, 9:00 am -6:00 pm
Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm[/private]