Skip to content

Senior programs up and running at C-L-M Community Action

Programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program serve nearly 1,600 individuals across Eastern Upper Peninsula tri-counties 

Senior programs for residents over the age of 60 are available through Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac (C-L-M) Community Action Agency locations. 

C-L-M Senior Services Director Toni T. Phillip said its programs help feed the area’s elderly five days per week, with two additional frozen meals intended for the weekend. 

There are 14 service locations across the tri-county area: Mackinac County has four; Luce County has one; and Chippewa County has nine. 

“Each provides hot meals,” Phillip said. “Some take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They each have their own scheduled days.” 

Up to three hot meals can be picked up at any center. However, the homebound meal program delivers food to seniors who cannot get out and about. Its “Meals on Wheels” program ensures health checks are conducted upon meal delivery. 

“The driver makes visual contact to make sure our seniors are okay,” said Philip. “I have great drivers.” 

Sites are now allowing seniors to congregate for lunch. 

“We are open for those who are comfortable coming out during COVID,” she said, recognizing how scary it has been for many seniors to re-engage with their peers. “Participation at our Calvary center in the Sault dropped down to seven people. It is up into the 20s now. I am hearing that other centers have between 15 and 25 people.” 

Safety measures have been put in place to help keep area seniors safe, causing Phillip to rewrite some rules. 

“I had to be restrictive when it came to playing cards and such,” said Phillip. “Typically, they would play cards and Bingo. We even had a weekly exercise program. They did exercises while in chairs. Now, it is a lot of sitting and visiting.” 

While delivery options are available to seniors unwilling to gather, they may also take advantage of curbside assistance. Aids and cooks take warm meals out to their vehicles.

But some senior citizens require more than food. 

“We have walkers, canes, and crutches,” Phillip said. “We try to have them in all three counties. When people call, we have tons to offer. If we don’t have what is needed in stock, we have programs that can assist.” 

The agency’s programs operate thanks to the more than 40 aides who service the tri-county’s homebound seniors, requiring general care assistance. Some may ask for help bathing, while others need help cooking. Homemaking assistants are also available to shop and run errands for clients. 

“We have a respite care program that allows for spouses (caregivers) caring for homebound seniors to take a break,” said Philip, recognizing the need for relief. “We have aids that stay with the homebound individual on a case-by-case basis. It is a two-hour block to start.” 

Community action’s “Take-5” program offers specialized adult daycare services to those struggling with various forms of dementia, like Alzheimer's disease. 

“People can drop their loved ones off between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. five days a week in Chippewa County, and three days a week in Luce and Mackinac counties,” Phillip said. “They (caregivers) can get away, and it’s convenient.” 

The Dial-a-Ride Transportation program is available to assist with any transportation needs and/or special busing accommodations. 

Marcey Thorne coordinates the agency’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) programs. 

TEFAP is a quarterly food distribution program, in which semi-trucks of food are delivered to community action centers throughout the three counties. It currently services 1,584 individuals across the area. 

This program exists for anyone who self-declares a need. It is not income based. 

“Food is distributed by the number of people,” Thorne said. “They get anywhere from one to four bags. There is usually a minimum of 15 items per bag.” 

Bags are likely to contain canned foods high in protein, vegetables, fruits, and frozen meals. Other common food items such as rice, eggs, frozen meats and fish, cheese, and butter are also included.

CSFP is a program intended for those over the age of 60 who can prove financial hardship. It is a nutrition education program that provides monthly supplemental food options. 

“A simple intake form can be completed over the phone,” said Thorne. “They call me and I sign them up.” 

However, the CSFP director said she always has extra food at the agency for anyone who truly needs it. 

“It is very rewarding,” said Thorne, who came to the agency from a business background. “I never realized the need in the area, or how much people really need that box of food. It’s incredible to help.” 

With that being said, community action is in need of additional aides to assist in its multiple programs. A nursing background is not required but a background check is. 

We were having a hard time finding aides at one time,” added Phillip. “We could still use more aids in Luce County.” 

An impromptu food distribution will be held on a first come, first serve basis from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Soo Christian Fellowship Church. 

Information pertaining to senior center locations and distribution centers near you can be found on the Community Action Senior Services Facebook page or on its C-L-M Community Action website. 

If looking for senior socialization, a list of congregate nutrition centers can also be found here. 

If you are in need or know someone in need of C-L-M Community Action assistance and/or program information, call TEFAP, CSFP Coordinator Marcey Thorne or Senior Services Director Toni T. Phillip at 906-632-3363.