I don’t even know where to start. Where do I apply?

Start online at Michigan.gov/mibridges, where you can fill out one application for SNAP, WIC (a program for pregnant women and children under five that allows you to choose certain healthy foods), and even public assistance and heating help.

I have some savings and a car, and I earn some money. Can I still apply?

The maximum amount of money you can have in the bank is $2,000 unless you live with someone with a disability or over the age of 60. That doesn’t count retirement savings or your most recent tax returns. One car won’t count against you, unless it’s valued at over $15,000. For a family of four, the maximum income allowed to qualify for SNAP is $34,060.

What can I actually buy with SNAP?

You can buy any food meant for people, except hot foods, at any authorized SNAP retailer. You can also buy seeds and plants to start a garden for your family. You can’t buy alcohol or tobacco.

I don’t want to take away from someone who needs it more, so should I apply?

SNAP funding expands and contracts based on need. Funding depends on the number of people who need it and there is not a cap on funds.

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Detroit Food Academy (DFA) inspires young Detroiters and families to grow as leaders through the power of hands-on, good food programming. Since the start of the pandemic, DFA has transitioned their food programs online, cooking each week with their students and practicing fundamental, lifelong culinary knowledge and skills that allow families to improve their diets and do more home-cooking.

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Keep Growing Detroit is dedicated to food sovereignty and community engagement in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. During the pandemic KGD has hosted online workshops and contactless curbside distributions featuring Detroit-grown produce, pantry staples, and affordable cooking and gardening supplies to promote healthy cooking, eating, and gardening activities across the city.

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Make Food Not Waste is a community of people who know that food is better eaten than wasted. It’s better for your budget, better for our community, and better for our planet. During the pandemic MFNW has held the Holiday Season Food Program. The program consists of a large scale Thanksgiving distribution and meal distribution throughout December to support the community. The distributions boxes include food and educational content related to nutrition, home cooking and maximizing food at home.

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The Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, a program of North End Christian Community Development Corporation, is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to cultivating healthy foods, sustainable economies, and active cultural environments. During the pandemic Oakland Avenue has become an emergency food hub working with local restaurants, chefs and other partners to resource perishable and non-perishable foods to their community. In addition, perishable food boxes, PPE and herbs are being provided to the community in partnership with Food Rescue US.. Virtual cooking and nutrition classes are also taking place.

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Soulardarity is building a brighter future in Highland Park with education, organizing, and people-powered clean energy. During the pandemic Soulardarity is creating and distributing household resilience packages that include food, water, and emergency supplies for the average household to weather a short-term emergency.

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Kids’ Health Connections (KHC) strives to improve quality, access, and health outcomes for children and families throughout Southeastern Michigan. KHC started as a Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) for Wayne County, and has since expanded to include Macomb and Oakland counties. The CHAP model began to address a community need for improved access to quality healthcare for children on Medicaid. By working collaboratively in the community, KHC addresses barriers preventing children and families in our communities from attaining positive health outcomes. KHC’s Food Secure Detroit project includes reaching out to over 1000 families within KHC’s database to assess need and desire for Eastern Market food boxes, as well as a prepared Thanksgiving meal.

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Through an initiative called Saffron Community Kitchen hosted by award-winning modern Moroccan restaurant Saffron De Twah, Saffron De Twah is providing nutritious and delicious meal options for families with barriers to food in Detroit at a low cost rate. In addition, Chef Omar is preparing and leading two online cooking classes in order to teach community members how to prepare healthy and tasty meals in their own kitchens.

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