…and we encourage you to do the same!
As we head into 2021, we can see that the world has gotten progressively more difficult to live in over the course of 2020. In Michigan, there have been over 436,000 cases of Covid-19 and over 10,000 deaths, as of today, with the number growing every day. Across the country and across the world, these numbers only get scarier. Health aside, since the start of the pandemic, almost 3 million Michiganders have applied for unemployment, nearly 1 million of whom are still receiving benefits. However, as several of the federal unemployment benefit programs under the CARES act are set to expire on December 26th more than 500,000 Michiganders will lose their benefits in the next few weeks.
We have been fortunate enough to continue running our legal practice from the comfort of our own homes. As a modern and technology-driven law firm, we had no trouble sending our team home to continue our daily business remotely. While we faced a few challenges, felt frustrated at being cooped up in our homes, and learned to conduct trials over Zoom, we quickly adjusted to the ‘new normal’ and carried on with our lives. However, we recognize our good fortune/privilege and knowing that so many people in our community are hurting, we can’t in good conscience ignore their pain. We certainly can’t singlehandedly end the Coronavirus pandemic, but we can do our small part by helping local organizations help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic!
So, we have decided to donate to Gleaners Community Food Bank and Michigan Humane instead of sending holiday gifts to our friends and colleagues. We selected these organizations because they have always worked hard to support Michiganders in need and they have more than doubled their efforts this past year to help those hurt by the pandemic.
Since 1977, Gleaners has been carrying out their mission to "provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food, and related resources…through collaboration, efficient operations, education, and innovative solutions to achieve a hunger-free community in southeast Michigan.” Gleaners collects food and monetary donations from various sources, including food drives like ours, and distributes food to 534 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties. Equally as important, Gleaners provides food education via programs such as Kids Helping Kids and Meet Up and Eat Up, to more than 200,000 children every year. Through programs like mobile pantries and My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery, Gleaners is able to travel to communities in need easing the burden of those who don’t have the time or transportation to seek our healthy and affordable food. Programs such as Gleaners’ Gardens and Cooking Matters teach nutrition through gardening and how to cook healthy and tasty meals. Food banks are essential services, and with so many Michiganders currently unemployed, access to food and Gleaners’ programs are more important than ever!
Michigan Humane’s mission statement is “To improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement and advocacy for animals.” One of the ways they do that is by making sure struggling families have the resources they need to keep their pets safe and healthy and to not risk having to turn their furry family members over to a shelter. Though their pet food pantry, community outreach programs, top-notch veterinary care, educations programs, investigation and rescue operations, and various donation efforts, among all the other services they provide, Michigan Humane has been helping Michiganders since 1877. In August, through a 4-day event called One Health Michigan, Michigan Humane provided care for 600 families and 1,200 pets by providing free spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, pet food and connecting those in need with human service agencies to solve other problems they may be facing. Michigan Humane even partnered with Gleaners who provided boxes of human food to distribute to families during the event. This event was much needed by the community as preventative veterinary care had been suspended for two months suspension by executive order.
We are even more excited to be donating to Gleaners and Michigan Humane because The Michigan Law Firm, PC has had the privilege of volunteering with both organizations for the past few years. The Firm has not only donated to both organizations but we have run food drives for Gleaners and taken part in Michigan Humane’s Mutt March, Giddy Up Pup, and Valentine’s Day Telethons!
If you are able to and would like to donate to Gleaners Community Food Bank and/or Michigan Humane, please do so! We and those you are helping thank you for your generous contribution, no matter the amount!
After clicking the link, you are given the option to select which foods you would like to donate. You may select specific food and click checkout or you can select ‘Skip, Give Now’ to donate money. Every dollar donated provides 3 meals and 92 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs. As Gleaners works with wholesalers and manufacturers, they can stretch a dollar further than we can. However, any donation is greatly appreciated!
When filling out the Donor Information section, please scroll down and select The Michigan Law Firm, PC before inputting your personal information.
Everyone talks about how humanity has been ravaged by Covid-19 but many people do not realize the effect it has had on our beloved animal friends. Pets always put a smile on their humans’ faces and help cheer them up no matter how sad they are. We need them now more than ever! However, the cost of feeding, sheltering, and providing veterinary care for a pet can add up, especially for those financially impacted by the pandemic.
