Dear Neighbor,
Happy November! We have an exciting month ahead of us with Thanksgiving and the holiday season. November reminds us to pause and reflect on the many things we’re grateful for. Whether it’s the comfort of home, the joy of family, or the kindness of those around us, this season brings a special kind of warmth.
I want to take a moment to say how thankful I am to be part of this community. As we head into the holiday season, I hope we can continue to look out for one another — whether it’s sharing a meal, lending a hand, or simply checking in on a neighbor.
Featured in This Newsletter:
- Double Up Food Bucks Expands, Offers “Bonus Bucks”
- Supporting Michiganders During the Federal Shutdown: How 211 Can Help
- 100 Energy Saving Actions from Consumers Energy
- Meals on Wheels Offers Holiday Meals to Seniors in Need
- Food Safety Reminders for Holiday Celebrations
- Honoring Native American Heritage Month
- Wayne County Light Fest
As always, it is an honor to represent you. If you would like any assistance with state-based issues, please feel free to reach out! You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Double Up Food Bucks Expands, Offers “Bonus Bucks”
In response to the temporary disruption of SNAP benefits, the Fair Food Network (FFN) has announced its expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks Program to help Michiganders navigate this tough time.
Beginning last week and effective through Dec. 31, 2025, Michigan’s Double Up program has increased its flexibility with the following updates:
- Double Up earnings no longer expire. FFN lifted the 90-day limit so shoppers can use their earned benefits whenever they need them.
- No daily earning cap. FFN removed the usual $20 per day limit, enabling families to earn as much as they can while shopping for fresh produce.
- Frozen fruits and vegetables are now eligible. Shoppers can now use Double Up on frozen options with no added salt, sugar, or oil — available at all 237 locations across the state.
And, as a new, exciting benefit, Double Up “Bonus Bucks” are available now — a limited-time voucher of $40 that will not require a matching SNAP purchase to receive. It can be used exclusively on fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables and will be distributed directly onto Double Up cards and apps, or loyalty cards at participating sites, where applicable. Printed vouchers for shoppers using tokens or coupons at participating locations will also be available.
If you are a SNAP beneficiary in Michigan, please know:
- You can still use any SNAP dollars already on your EBT card — those funds are not affected.
- All previously earned Double Up Food Bucks remain available.
- Double Up is available year-round at grocery stores, even as farmers’ market season winds down.
Learn more at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/How-To-Snap-Disruption. If you need help or have questions, you can call the Double Up hotline at 866-586-2796, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. To find a participating location near you, visit DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/locations.
Supporting Michiganders During the Federal Shutdown: How 211 Can Help
As the federal government shutdown continues and critical services like SNAP face disruptions, Michigan 211 is stepping up to ensure residents have access to the help they need. Michigan 211 is available around the clock to connect people with essential resources.
What is Michigan 211?
Michigan 211 is a public utility in the state of Michigan, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. It provides free, confidential information and referrals to over 30,000 public and private health and human services across the state. From food assistance and housing to mental health and utility support, 211 helps Michiganders navigate available aid during times of uncertainty.
How to Access 211 Services:
- Call: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone
- Text: Send your ZIP code to 898-211
- Online: Visit mi211.org
- Food Assistance: If you’re a SNAP beneficiary concerned about food access, visit mi211.org/food-assistance
100 Energy Saving Actions from Consumers Energy
With the colder temperatures around the corner, so does an increase in energy consumption. Home heating accounts for 30% of customers’ energy bills. With the gift giving season coming up, it is always helpful to save some extra money. Consumers Energy has put together 100 ways to help you save!
Consumers Energy offers these cost-saving tips:
- Have your heating system tuned up and inspected by a service professional and replace your furnace filter. If your furnace can breathe more easily, it will use less energy.
- Make sure your attic, basement, garage, and exterior doors are closed to
prevent cold drafts from getting in and heat from getting out. A gap of just one-eighth of an inch around your windows or doors is like having a softball size hole in them, allowing cold air in and making your furnace work harder to accommodate for that extra cold air.
- Turn on your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans set at a slow speed can push warm air away that rises to the ceiling and move it around the room without creating a chilling breeze.
- When it comes to savings on heating your water, take a shower instead of a bath which uses less hot water. Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees. By lowering the temperature, you can cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort. Save even more by setting your water heater to “on vacation” (if your unit has this feature) when you’re away from home for more than two days.
To see all the 100 Ways to Save, customers can visit ConsumersEnergy.com/saveenergy.
Meals on Wheels Offers Holiday Meals to Seniors in Need
This holiday season, both Macomb County and Detroit Meals on Wheels will be offering Holiday meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas! This initiative allows homebound seniors to receive a hot holiday meal, including many traditional favorites. Macomb County Meals on Wheels also offers seniors who do not qualify for the opportunity to purchase one of these meals for $8.
If interested, please contact:
- For Macomb County Residents 586-469-5228.
- For Detroit Residents 313-446-4444.
If you would like to volunteer, Detroit Area Agency on Aging is currently looking for holiday drivers to deliver homebound seniors meals on Christmas day. Please contact 313-446-4444 for more information.
Food Safety Reminders for Holiday Celebrations
With Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, it is important that hosts keep food safety in mind. Taking a few simple precautions to keep your food safe and your guests happy and healthy can ensure a successful celebration.
- Wash Hands Frequently: Handwashing is one of the most important steps to preventing foodborne illness. Research shows that handwashing lowers the rates of certain respiratory and gastrointestinal infections up to 23% and 48%, respectively. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm, running water before, during, and after preparing foods; after using the restroom or blowing your nose; and after returning to the kitchen if you must leave during food preparation.
- Clean and Separate: Start with a clean kitchen by washing all surfaces and utensils, and use separate cutting boards for raw meats and other foods.
- Meats: Turkey, ham, brisket, lamb, and poultry are classic supper entrees. Keep in mind that various meats require different techniques of preparation. Use a food thermometer to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature. Plan ahead to allow enough time for meat to thaw safely and cook thoroughly before serving. Follow thawing and cooking instructions on the label.
- Side Dishes: The rule of thumb for side dishes is “keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.” Bacteria grows most rapidly in the “danger zone” range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. If possible, place cooked hot foods in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, or slow cookers. Place cold foods in containers on ice. Never keep food, whether served hot or cold, out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
- Leftovers: If food has not been left at room temperature for more than two hours, leftovers can be safely refrigerated or frozen to be enjoyed later. Store leftover food in small, shallow containers in the refrigerator or in the freezer for later use. Shallow containers help cool leftovers more quickly than storing them in large containers. Leftovers should be consumed within four days. If you want to keep leftovers longer, freeze them within that four-day period. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely, though the quality may decrease over time. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within two to six months. Always reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F, using a food thermometer.
For more tips and resources regarding food safety, visit FoodSafety.gov or Michigan.gov/foodsafety.
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
From the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in the northern part of the state to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in the south, Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes are vast and diverse, enriching our communities in invaluable ways. This November, I hope you’ll join me in recognizing the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of tribal communities here in Michigan and across our nation in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.
From raising awareness about the history of Indian boarding schools in our state to protecting tribal fishing areas, Senate Democrats have been working hard to tackle issues important to our state’s Native American communities.
Whether by reading a book written by a local Native American author or visiting any of the four must-see Native American cultural sites in our state, I hope you’ll join me in uplifting Michigan’s resilient Indigenous communities who’ve been here for millennia and are here to stay.
Wayne County Light Fest
Wayne County Light Fest begins November 20, 2025, and will last until Sunday, December 24, 2025. This festival is a five-mile stretch of Hines Park, displaying nearly 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights. The Light Fest is not open Monday or Tuesday evenings. Please also note that due to overwhelming response to the event, wait times may be longer than normal on weekends. The event is a $5 fee per car, and commercial vehicles, RVs, limos, and buses will have an additional charge.
Wayne County will offer radio alerts to update visitors with important show information. By tuning into AM 1640 within three to five miles of the event entrance, visitors can receive regular updates on wait times, traffic flow, special events, and event costs.
There is also a toy night, which allows visitors to donate a new, unwrapped toy in lieu of paying the car entrance fee. This will take place on Wednesdays, November 26, December 3, and December 10, 2025. Commercial vehicles will not be considered for free admission.
For more information, please call (734) 261-1990 or visit WayneCountyMI.gov.