MARQUETTE — The Marquette Food Co-op will collect funds now through July 20 to assist local food banks through a Round Up at the Register program.

Cashiers will ask customers to round their shopping total to the nearest dollar or more when they check out with their groceries. All funds collected will be used to purchase items specifically requested for local food banks such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Northern Michigan University Food Pantry and The Salvation Army at both Marquette and Ishpeming locations.

During the summer months when children aren’t receiving meals at school, there’s increased pressure on food pantries to provide supplemental nutrition to families in need, the co-op noted. This year, that increase is even more substantial with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in significant job loss, rising food costs, the unavailability of many products and reduced access to retailers.

“We’re seeing the greatest spike in food prices in 45 years with no significant changes in food assistance programs,” said Sarah Monte, MFC outreach director, in a news release. “We need to do our part in helping our local food pantries stay stocked and able to feed our community during these trying times.”

The Marquette Food Co-op is the area’s only natural and organic grocery store, collectively owned by more than 5,000 residents in Marquette and throughout the Upper Peninsula.

To read more about the co-op’s principles and actions, visit marquettefood. coop.

Survey available

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Adult Services Agency is working to make sure programs and services available to Michigan’s older adults and persons with disabilities continue to meet their needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

The agency is conducting a survey of Michiganders age 60 and over and with disabilities. MDHHS will use the results to improve programs and services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

“In Michigan, adults age 60 and over represent 35% of COVID-19 cases and, unfortunately, 87% of the deaths,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the Aging and Adult Services Agency, in a news release. “We are looking to hear from both older adults and persons with disabilities how COVID-19 has impacted their daily lives.”

Any Michigan resident who is age 60 or over and/or has a disability is invited to complete the online survey on the Aging and Adult Services website. The survey closes Friday. A caregiver also can complete the survey on behalf of an older adult or person with a disability.

This survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential and will be stored securely. Results will be reported in summary form only.

For more information, contact the Aging and Adults Services Agency at 517-241-4100, AASAInfo@michigan.gov or Michigan.gov/AASA.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net