Food truck, other support services at fairgrounds Friday

574 homeless people in Oceana County in 2014.

HART — A Feeding America food truck and other support services will be offered through Project Homeless Connect at the Oceana County Fairgrounds Friday, Aug. 14, at from 9-11 a.m.

Coordinated by Oceana’s HOME Partnership, the event will offer employment counseling, free health screenings, health enrollment assistance, migrant services, veterans’ services, youth services for ages 12-21 and utility assistance information. The food truck is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m.

The event is a one-day, one-stop event that provides free on-site services and referrals to our neighbors provided by community volunteers, businesses and services providers.

“Community service providers will be working together to connect people in our community to supportive services,” states Kendra Quick, client services coordinator for Oceana’s HOME Partnership.

“A Feeding America food truck will be in attendance to distribute unused perishable food donated by grocery stores and farmers who would rather donate food than see their products wasted. Fruits, vegetables, bread and other baked goods will be some of the food distributed to people who may be among the 13.9 percent of Michiganders who face food insecurity. “Attendants are encouraged to brings bags, boxes, carts or wagons to carry their food items. Mercy Health’s Wheels of Mercy mobile clinic will also be in attendance to provide free health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, pulmonary function and vision as well as enrollment into medical financial assistance, and pharmaceutical assistance. The remaining service providers include services for employment, veterans services, utilities, migrant services and of course, housing.

“Although the name Project Homeless Connect implies these services are for those experiencing housing instability, all those who would benefit from these services are invited to attend,” Quick states. “In 2014 alone, 574 people became homeless in Oceana County and of those, 251 were children. Come and take advantage of this great opportunity to connect with your community.”