According to a Consumers Energy Foundation press release on Wednesday, the foundation announced that it issued a grant of $250,000 to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to support home delivery of shelf-stable food boxes to households with seniors, people with disabilities, and children.

The foundation states that the initiative comes in response to economic pressures and the recent disruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.

“We believe no one in Michigan should go hungry,” Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation, said in the release. “This grant reflects our commitment to care for our communities and ensuring everyone has access to the nutrition they need to stay healthy and safe.”

According to the release, Food Bank Council of Michigan will use the grant to launch a home delivery program for seven-day food boxes. The program will operate through a hub-and-spoke model, with a central food bank coordinating logistics and deliveries to local partners and directly to homes across the state.

“This support from the Consumers Energy Foundation is a lifeline for thousands of Michigan families,” Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said in the release. “By bringing food directly to the doorsteps of those who can’t reach distribution sites, we’re ensuring that no one is left behind.”

The release states that the Consumers Energy Foundation is working collaboratively with government partners and a wide network of corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations. Consumers Energy employees will have the opportunity to extend additional care to families in need through volunteer efforts and financial contributions with matching gift funds from the company.

“This coordinated effort ensures that resources are deployed where they are needed most,” the release states. “Among these partners, United Way continues to be a critical resource, helping families stay afloat with wraparound services such as rent assistance, utility support, and other essential needs.”