MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - About 13 percent of Meridian Township lives below the poverty level which is about 5,000 people according to Darla Jackson, Human Services Specialist for the Meridian Township. In order to aid those struggling in the community there are programs such as the Emergency Needs Fund.

"The Emergency Needs Fund was established, so that people when they are accessing assistance through lets say the state of Michigan or other community service organizations sometimes there is a gap that still needs to be paid or sometimes there is something that other programs wont cover like medication," says Jackson.

The Emergency Needs Fund helps eligible residents with things such as utilities and making rent, they also team up with local groups and rely on donations for things such as food and seasonal gifts.

Groups such as the St. Vincent De Paul of the St. Martha Parish help with food and monetary donations, they also provide furniture to people in need.

Volunteer Bob Page says, "there are lots of people in need in Okemos, so we have a steady flow of requests. Many times people will call the parish directly and ask for help. Quite often they come to us through the Township Needs Fund."

Due to policy changes at the state level there is no state assistance to cover utilities between the months of June and October, the lack of assistance results in other forms of assistance being spent out which puts added pressure on the emergency fund.

Jackson says more money has been spent on utilities over the last four to five months than has been spent in the last three years.

This has resulted in emergency funds running low, she says donations are welcome, "We could definitely use donations to basically make it through to cover the expenses for the rest of the year."

Jackson can be contacted at 517-853-4204 or via email at jackson@meridian.mi.us.