Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services Demand topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marquette County DHS reports rising demand as FoodShare changes drive higher food-bank use and waitlists
Summary
Department leaders told the Nov. 3 board meeting that FoodShare changes and broader economic pressures drove a surge in need: the county food bank served 330 households in October, Economic Support has 1,711 open cases, and clinical services reported multiple waitlists.
Marquette County Department of Human Services officials told the board on Nov. 3 that demand increased across multiple programs, with the county food bank, Economic Support and clinical services reporting higher caseloads and waitlists.
Jennifer Vote, a county food bank representative, reported the food bank served 330 households in October, 42% of them seniors, and recorded 19 new households. Vote said staff saw a notable rise in callers and registrations that coincided with the end of FoodShare benefit enrollments. The food bank recently installed a walk-in freezer and cooler and outlined donation and fundraiser plans for the Thanksgiving period and a "Bowls for Hunger" fundraiser at Westfield School on Dec. 1.
Mandy Stanley, director of the Department of Human Services, and Annett Eckes of the Economic Support/Child Support Unit said Economic Support operations continue but are stretched: the unit has 1,711 open cases and handled 13,364 incoming calls in October. Eckes said a majority of recipients are enrolled in health-care programs and that FoodShare use has risen compared with last year. Stanley reiterated that one Economic Support staff member resigned and that the department is monitoring staffing given uncertainties in federal and state funding.
Dawn Woodard, representing Clinical Services, told the board October saw increases in emergency detentions, jail-related calls and phone contacts. Outpatient counseling had 22 people on its waitlist; the CCS program had nine people waiting; and four individuals were in residential placements. Woodard said the CST/CCS Coordinating Committee will next meet Jan. 15, 2026.
Jan Krueger of Aging and Disability Services reported additional operational notes: a long-standing meal driver will retire in December; the Nov./Dec. newsletter has been published; a caregiver appreciation event is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Harrisville; there are 29 current out-of-home placements (one paid by the county); and website traffic roughly doubled in October with top searches for food, fuel and housing.
Board members did not take formal legislative action on program changes at the meeting; staff said they will pursue follow-up items, including the department's budgeting conversation at the county board and a CAP presentation scheduled for Dec. 1. The meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m.
