BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that the Michigan National Guard has received a request to support the South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek.
According to Whitmer, approximately five Airmen from the 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, started serving at this site beginning April 17. Support is expected to continue through mid-May.
The South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek will be the sixth food distribution site supported by the Michigan National Guard across the state.
Since March 30, Michigan National Guard members have been serving at food bank locations in Comstock Park, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, and Flint. A location in Royal Oak was added on April 6.
“The men and women of the Michigan National Guard are continuing to offer reliable and trusted aid to Michigan communities during the state’s response to COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “We are grateful they are always ready to serve when called upon.”
To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Guard members are screened prior to conducting response activities, and they perform their duties with personnel protective equipment as advised by the Michigan National Guard’s medical staff.
“The Michigan National Guard is continuing to answer the call to serve our communities as requested,” Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard and Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers said. “This is about ensuring citizens of Michigan have the aid they need when they need it most, and our commitment to providing exceptional service to state and local agencies will not waiver.”
Since March 18, more than 600 Michigan National Guard members have been called to active service to aid Michigan’s response. Their response activities include logistics support for medical equipment, medical screening operations, planning augmentation, and support for construction of alternate care facilities.
The Michigan National Guard says it has an additional 6,600 members ready to assist at the request of Michigan’s communities.
