Most Americans will soon receive a check from the government as
part of a federal stimulus package to alleviate some of the economic pain
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic . It's not a fix-all, but I'm glad that
many Michiganders -- especially those hit hardest by this unprecedented
crisis -- will get some relief.
If you need your
stimulus check, I am thankful you will be getting this support. However, if
you’re fortunate enough to not need this federal support to get through the
next few weeks or months, I have an urgent request for you:
Please consider donating your portion of the federal stimulus to support the tireless efforts of the front line groups that are helping Michigan residents at greatest risk during this pandemic. If you’re lucky enough to earn too much to receive a federal check, please consider donating anyway to help your fellow Michiganders through this very difficult time.
The organizations
below already work daily to address the many challenges faced by our most
vulnerable neighbors across the state, but their help is needed now more than
ever.
Brightmoor Connection Food Pantry provides food and water to those in need due
to the economic toll of the crisis. Pictured is director Rev. Roslyn Bouier
with donated water. We the People of Detroit delivers water where it's needed, including homes that have faced water shutoffs.
Michigan
Welfare Rights offers an array
of services to residents in poverty.
Flint
Rising, born out of the
Flint Water Crisis, is still working to secure clean water for all -- especially
now.
I will be
donating my stimulus check to these organizations, because I want to see these
funds go where they can do the most good. In Michigan, that's Detroit, where COVID-19 infection rates are accelerating faster than elsewhere, as well as Flint and other communities
where poverty and related health issues put people of color— especially
African Americans -- at greater risk. In addition, years of
residential shutoffs in these cities also mean thousands have no access to
water in the middle of this pandemic. Native
American tribes are also experiencing the impacts of the virus.
Imagine not
having water to wash your hands, food containers and surfaces in your home,
despite a steady drumbeat of warnings from government and health officials to
do just that to stop the spread of the virus.
Recently, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer finally took concrete
steps to
get water turned back on to all Michigan residents during this crisis. We’re
glad that Gov. Whitmer is a responsive leader who listened to these frontline
groups, and now we’re supporting these same organizations as they hold
officials accountable to ensure Whitmer’s Executive Order is carried out.
Please join me in standing in solidarity with these
organizations and the Michiganders they serve and turn your federal check into
a stimulus for hope and a better future for everyone. Thanks. We’re all in
this together.
Sincerely,
Gail Philbin, Chapter
Director
P.S. To learn how to help neighbors in your community and other regions of Michigan, visit this link for statewide information from Michigan COVID-19 Community Response. To learn more about how to support Michigan tribes, visit https://www.itcmi.org/.
