LANSING, Mich., May 24 -- The Michigan Department of Humnan Services issued the following news release:
Michigan's troubling economic climate has caused an unprecedented number of families to seek help paying their bills or putting food on their tables. However, that hardship is not just happening to families in poor, urban areas. The economic pain is being felt everywhere, including in the suburbs or wealthier areas of the state. This is just one of the many myths that are tarnishing the purpose of the welfare system, which is why the Michigan Department of Human Services is continuing its statewide campaign in Grand Rapids to bust those myths with facts, Director Ismael Ahmed said today.
'Those myths have caused a stigma that may prevent some people who truly need help, especially families with young children and the elderly, to come forward,' Ahmed said. 'We want to put an end to that because the safety net helps families get back on their feet.'
DHS representatives and partners dispelled myths at the event today as part of the department's 'Welfare 101: busting myths about welfare' campaign. The campaign was launched on April 1 in an effort to reduce widespread negative perceptions and show how valuable the welfare system is for so many Michigan residents, as well as to the state's economy.
The face of hunger shifted since the economic downturn began with people who used to donate to food pantries now receiving help themselves, said Liz Gensler, food security network coordinator for the Kent County Essential Needs Task Force Food Subcommittee.
'Recently, we have seen a leveling off of demand at the pantries, in part due to the still steadily increasing number of households taking advantage of the food assistance program and the expanded food assistance benefits now available,' Gensler said.
'This resource is immensely important to our community, both for the food assistance it provides to households and the economic impact it has on our businesses and farmers. The more we can do to encourage households to utilize food assistance and reduce misconceptions about the program, the better.'
That's important in part because the U.
S. Department of Agriculture estimates that every $5 of food benefits generates about $9.20 in economic activity in communities.
Among the myths busted during today's event:
Myth: Welfare recipients only live in poor, urban areas, not the suburbs or wealthier areas of the state.
Fact: Michigan residents are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their bills in communities statewide. DHS has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of families seeking temporary assistance, including in Michigan's more-affluent suburban communities. For example, Grandville saw a 51 percent increase in the number of people coming to the DHS for food assistance, while Grand Haven saw a 60 percent increase. Also, the communities saw more than 36 percent increases in Medicaid rolls.
Myth: Large numbers of college students are scamming the system to get food assistance they don't qualify for.
Fact: Fewer than 2 percent of the nearly 1.8 million food assistance recipients statewide are possibly dependent college students.
If a student applies for food assistance, a DHS specialist verifies school enrollment and attendance to determine if the applicant is in student status. And students have to meet federal eligibility criteria.
Also, it's important to note that in today's economy, the traditional college student isn't necessarily 18- to 22-year-olds; many people who have lost their jobs are now attending college to retrain so they can meet the new workforce's needs.
The fact is more Michigan residents are struggling today than ever before, said Barbara Anders, DHS' financial and quality service deputy director.
'Today, the need is great but at least DHS' welfare programs can ease the burden on a temporary basis,' Anders said. 'It is more important than ever before to do your part to educate the skeptics. Be vigilant and make sure you don't fall into this trap yourself.'
Deborah J. Nykamp, president and CEO of Catholic Charities West Michigan, reiterated the agency's partnership with the DHS to provide a safety net for those who are struggling.
'We know that without this help, these families would be torn apart by poverty and its effects,' she said. 'Keeping families together is the goal of everyone in our communities, including the DHS and Catholic Charities West Michigan.'
Other partners in attendance included: All County Churches Emergency Support System (ACCESS) of West Michigan; Area Community Services Employment & Training; Arbor Circle; Bethany Christian Services; City of Grand Rapids; Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank; Kent County Friend of the Court; Kent County Health Department's Strong Beginnings Program; Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism; Heart of West Michigan United Way; Hispanic Center of West Michigan; Home Repair Services; Inner City Christian Federation; Lutheran Child and Family Service of Michigan; Network 180; The Salvation Army Booth Family Services; The SOURCE (Southwest Organizations Unifying Resources for our Community & Employees); South End Community Outreach Ministries; and United Methodist Community House.
For more information about Welfare 101: Busting myths about welfare, please visit www.michigan.gov/welfare101. Follow DHS on Twitter http://twitter.com/MichiganDHS or become a fan at www.facebook.com/MichiganDHS .
For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
Edward Woods III, 517/373-7394.
