Saginaw Community Foundation has received a $150,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund through its Food Security Rapid Response Initiative to help address rising food insecurity in the region.
The funding was awarded in response to increased demand for food assistance caused by disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during a recent government shutdown, as well as longer-term reductions in federal food assistance programs. Saginaw Community Foundation redistributed the grant funds to local organizations providing direct food access and emergency relief, including:
- East Side Soup Kitchen
- Hidden Harvest
- Partnershift Network
- Saginaw Backpack Program
- Saginaw Community Action Center
- Saginaw Community Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
- Saginaw Food Club
“These funds were deployed quickly to ensure families facing immediate food insecurity could access help when they needed it most,” said Reneé Johnston, president and CEO of Saginaw Community Foundation. “We are grateful to the Michigan Health Endowment Fund for recognizing both the urgency of this moment and the importance of trusted local partners in delivering solutions.”
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund was established in 2013 with a mission to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and older adults. The Health Fund prioritizes eight focus areas in its grantmaking, including access to healthy food.
“Our rapid response initiative aimed to provide immediate relief for those most impacted by disruptions to food assistance programs, while also strengthening regional partnerships that build long-term capacity to address hunger,” said Kari Sederburg, vice president of programs for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. “We’re grateful for the Saginaw Community Foundation and our other local and regional collaborators, who have quickly mobilized grant resources to support families and strengthen the food safety net in their communities.”
From 2014 through 2025, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund awarded more than 1,300 grants totaling over $350 million statewide, supporting initiatives that improve health, wellness, and access to essential services for Michigan residents.
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About Michigan Health Endowment Fund
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is a philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents, with a special focus on children and older adults. Since 2014, the Health Fund has awarded more than 1,300 grants totaling over $350 million statewide. Learn more at mihealthfund.org.