The overlap of a peaking pandemic and the holiday season means difficult weeks for many ahead, from individuals facing homelessness and food scarcity to businesses teetering on the brink to families struggling to afford holiday meals and gifts. Without a federal relief package in sight, local organizations and groups are stepping up to fill in …
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At the end of March, as the pandemic descended and uncertainty raged, residents of Safe Harbor spent their last night of the season in Traverse City’s homeless shelter, which closed early out of concern that the new virus could gain a foothold and spread among the guests.
That left dozens of people on the street, …
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Rotary Charities of Traverse City has announced the recipients of their fall 2021 grants, which total $434,000 earmarked for six area nonprofits.
The organization reports that "this year we have adapted to our grantmaking to be more responsive to the needs of nonprofits and the people they serve during the uncertainty and shifting conditions of the COVID-19 …
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Community and nonprofit groups across northern Michigan are racing against the clock to get as many residents counted as possible in the U.S. Census before a September 30 deadline – with billions of dollars in federal funding and Congressional seats at stake and barriers including the coronavirus pandemic, rural lack of Internet access, and distrust …
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The Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness aims to house 20 homeless families in the next 100 days. Its “100-Day Challenge” will seek collaboration with property developers, apartment complexes, landlords, and even local homeowners to address some of the disproportionate risk that homeless populations face during a public health crisis like COVID-19.
“A 100-Day Challenge …
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The coronavirus pandemic -- already devastating to the area’s homeless population -- might just be the catalyst to bring about systemic change for that population, or so hope leaders of several organizations now collaborating even further to secure housing solutions.
Most community organizations serving this population coexist under the umbrella of the Northwest Michigan Coalition …
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Numerous local campaigns aimed at raising donations to help local workers and organizations during the pandemic are seeing a robust community response, with hundreds of thousands of dollars being channeled to those in need.
The Groundwork Center's Local Food Relief Fund, which uses donations to buy fresh produce directly from local farmers and donate it …
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One week after Grand Traverse County commissioners agreed to extend paid sick time to front-line employees impacted by coronavirus, the board rejected a proposal Wednesday to take the additional step of offering hazard pay to those employees, including sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, and health department staff. At the same meeting, commissioners approved proclamations honoring National …
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With states ordering residents to stay home and the Grand Traverse County Health Department cautioning visitors against non-essential travel to northern Michigan, how are tourism-reliant businesses – like Traverse City Tourism, hotels, and vacation rentals – planning to survive the pandemic?
Traverse City Tourism President/CEO Trevor Tkach acknowledges the short-term picture is grim. An estimated …
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Households accustomed to taking their pop cans back to the store, calling a recycling center to haul away old mattresses and televisions, and donating used goods to thrift stores are finding all of those options disrupted during the pandemic. Local recycling and reuse businesses are changing their practices and offering tips to residents to avoid …
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