George James

Simply Silverware Gives Adults with Special Needs Purpose and Paycheck

After a whole season of canceled parties and postponed weddings, Simply Silverware in St. Clair is back to work and looking forward to a bright future.

Owner Jennifer Gildenpfennig has owned and operated the business for four years, employing adults with special needs who wrap plastic silverware with napkins for customers who are hosting graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and other events.

Gildenpfennig, who has worked as a teacher with the Macomb ISD, said that wrapping silverware started as a classroom project and then grew into an actual business. Her employees are adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, or other special needs who have aged out of other programs. Simply Silverware allows them to get a paycheck, get out of the house for a while, and have a purpose while making money.

Shae Sheppard, one of the employees, said that she likes to work. Her co-worker, Jeff Anger, expressed pride in “making piles of silverware”.

Right now, business is picking up and Gildenpfennig has dreams of opening another location elsewhere in St. Clair County and turning Simply Silverware into her full-time business. Her employees also provide gift wrapping in the holiday season and assemble party favors and wedding decorations.

You can learn more at their website, https://simplysilverware.square.site.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge Cards to Get Loaded with Additional Money in June

Michigan residents who rely on a Bridge Card to pay for food will be getting more money added to their card balance in June. This is the second extra payment this year and is part of the federally funded Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Nearly 700,000 households of the 1.2 million that receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, in Michigan will get the addition of at least $95. This additional payment goes beyond the maximum threshold that was established in April 2020. The maximum benefit for a single person is $234, with a family of eight eligible for up to $1408 per month.

The additional payments will be added by June 22nd, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director, said, “As we continue to return to normal, it’s important to note that there are still many people who are struggling due to the global pandemic. MDHHS believes it is critically important to help people feed their families.”

Recipients do not need to reapply to get the benefit. It will be automatically added.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Laws Make it Easier for Military Families to Live and Work in Michigan

Michigan is actively recruiting military veterans to live and work in the state by removing licensing and certification barriers that had previously deterred veterans from transitioning to civilian employment.

Several bills were signed into law that waive licensure application fees and expedite the processing of professional licensing applications. The bills include family members of veterans who are transitioning to Michigan.

Senator John Bizon, a Battle Creek Republican, commented on the bi-partisan bill package saying, “With these bills, we are helping our veteran and military families by removing the government red tape preventing them from continuing their careers here in Michigan. Military spouses in professions that require licensure can be left jobless with a sudden move to a new state.”

U.S. Army Major General Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs further commended the recognition of the sacrifices made by military families, saying, “These new laws will eliminate a significant burden often faced by our military families.” 

The new laws can be found at the following links: 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0157.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/Senate/pdf/2021-SNB-0312.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4376.pdf 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billenrolled/House/pdf/2021-HNB-4377.pdf 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Think About Pets When Preparing for Emergencies 

June is National Pet Preparedness Month and it’s a great time for pet owners to make sure they are ready to take care of their furry friends during an emergency.

Leaving a pet behind during a natural disaster or other emergency is not an option, as they could be lost, injured, or die. Having pets microchipped is an easy way to make sure pets and owners can be reunited if they are separated.

The Michigan State Police encourage pet owners to make a plan before emergencies strike and that includes building a kit for each pet with a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container and three days’ worth of water specifically for pets.

A crate or pet carrier on hand is also recommended, as is a collar with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash. Loose dogs and cats are not a great idea when evacuating in an emergency.

The State Police also encourage pet owners to have a picture of themselves with the pet in case ownership needs to be proven.  The picture should be in the emergency kit along with any health records and ownership information pertaining to the pets.

A link to more information:

https://www.michigan.gov/miready/0,8237,7-375-89493_89732_89801—,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3fybSFJaW9R-cJ5z9REG61BpT4Pd6DpeWKs9L7Uww3CTf34mdbdY9Cq5U

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“The Big Give” Brings in over $600K for Non-Profits

Seventy-one non-profits got a funding boost during “The Big Give” on June 9th, with Mid-City Nutrition, the local soup kitchen which is in the process of building a new headquarters, raising the most money: over $153,000. A matching grant from the Marshall E. Campbell Company helped bring Mid-City to the top of the Leaderboard.

The organization with the most donors was Spero Pregnancy Center, which had 181 donors and came in second in total donations with over $43,000.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation, said, “The community stepped up big and collectively raised over $600,000 from nearly 1,700 donors.”

Some of the non-profits gathered in front of the Community Foundation building. Hanton said, “It was wonderful to see donors stopping by to chat with their favorite nonprofit and others walking around to learn more about organizations they didn’t know about.”

Hanton remarked, “Our community continues to be one of the most amazing and generous places to live. The Big Give brought us back together in person and online and giving was abundant!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland