Effective Tuesday, February 22, 2022:

Township officials will no longer require, but instead strongly encourage employees and visitors to wear face masks while conducting business in Township buildings.

Masking will be required in the Town Hall Room of the Meridian Township Municipal Building or any other Township meeting space when social distancing of 6 feet or greater cannot be maintained.

Important Note:

Masking protocol may be different for first responders, medical first responders and other Township staff who work in the field or those required to enter privately owned homes or buildings for work. Temporary masking will be required as directed for employees approved to return from quarantine or isolation.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is following Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommendations for distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, and has also obtained input from state public health and health care leaders and reviewed correspondence from the public.

Residents can find a vaccination site online by searching their zip code: https://vaccinefinder.org/search/

Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888.535.6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. or can call 2-1-1. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance & Resources

Ingham County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Registration

Emergency Information:  
Please dial 9-1-1 if you are encountering any type of emergency situation.

COVID-19 Statewide Hotline:
Public health and other experts will answer health-related questions about COVID-19. The team can also direct residents, providers and more to the right resources in their local communities and in other state government departments. The hotline will be open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at 1.888.535.6136.

Ingham County Health Department:
COVID-19 information 517.887.4517 Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

MSU Heath Team
COVID-19 patient screening: MSU Health Team will begin screening patients March 16th, Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Call 855.958.2MSU (1.855.958.2678)

Spectrum Health
If you are in the state of Michigan and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, schedule a free screening through our COVID-19 hotline at 833.559.0659

The Meridian Township Police Department (MTPD) Senior Watch Program was created to assist senior citizens (60 years of age or older) or disabled adults (55+ with a life threatening illness or injury) who reside within the community we serve. The program provides service to residents that live alone with no means or capacity to leave their home, or do not have friends or family immediately available to check on their well-being. This program is intended to provide qualifying residents with a sense of security as well as comfort in knowing that assistance is coming should something happen.

How it Works:

Interested participants should contact the Meridian Township Police Department at 517.853.4800 or submit the Senior Watch Program Application Form. The Program offers the following options:

• The Check-In Option: Senior citizens who may live alone, have the opportunity to become part of our call in program. They will decide on a day and time that they will call in or check in with the Police Department. If a call is missed, then an officer will call them or stop over to see if everything’s O.K. (Benefit of this program – the client doesn’t have to be home to call in.)

• The Elderly Call Option: On designated days and times (usually Mondays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm) the police department will call the clients home to check on their welfare. Again, if no contact is made an officer will be sent to the home to check on their welfare.

• The Senior Watch Option: This options benefits seniors who may need our help more than others. These seniors may not have family to check on them or provide assistance. The Police Department or a designated volunteer would visit the client once a week (or more) to check on their welfare. 

Our Volunteers:

The Meridian Township Police Department believes in a "neighbor helping neighbor" concept and that's why the Meridian Police Senior Watch Program calls for neighborhood volunteers to assist with our programs. The volunteers can sign on to help us help our seniors. Through our volunteers, we will strengthen our relationships between neighbors and neighborhoods. Volunteers interested in assisting can contact our Department or submit an application on the Meridian Township Police page on the Township website.

Under normal circumstances, with generous donations from the community, Meridian Cares helps approximately 60-70 households with financial assistance to pay for rent or utilities and refers hundreds more to other agencies. However, the current situation is not usual or normal, and the Meridian Cares Team knows even more people are going to find themselves needing assistance to make it through this unusual time. The Township is expecting that an unprecedented number of households in Meridian will need help in the immediate future.

Please join Meridian Cares and Township leaders to make a difference by giving some certainty to families that need it. Donate to Meridian Cares online through PayPal or you can send your donation to Meridian Cares. Make check payable to: Meridian Cares

Send to:   Meridian Cares

        Meridian Township

        5151 Marsh Road

        Okemos, MI 48864

Please contact Meridian Township Human Services Specialist, Darla Jackson, at 517.853.4204 or jackson@meridian.mi.us for information regarding additional resources and assistance. 

At this time, all food pantries that serve Meridian Township remain open, with enhanced hygiene practices in place.  All of the food pantries require an appointment and a current Michigan ID and address verification may be required.  Those that need food should contact the site for their ZIP code to request food:

48823: St. Paul Lutheran Church – 517.351.8541

              St. John Student Parish – 517.432.5136

48840: Haslett Community Church – 517.339.8383 ext. 15

48864: Okemos Community Church – 517.349.4220

Meridian Township continues to work with community organizations to ensure that residents do not go hungry.  Those that wish to help out may consider contributing financially to the food pantries. Residents can also contact call 2-1-1 for statewide volunteer opportunities as well as connections to additional community resources.

Student Meal Service:

• East Lansing Public Schools

• Haslett Public Schools

• Okemos Public Schools

• Williamston Community Schools

Older Adults/Senior Citizen Meal Service: 

• Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA): For those individuals who are receiving home delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, they will continue to get their meals, but on an adjusted schedule. For seniors who are not currently enrolled in Meals on Wheels and are interested in receiving home delivered meals should contact the Greater Lansing Meals on Wheels Office at 517.887.1460. Eligibility for Meals on Wheels is 60 years of age or older who are unable to shop, cook, or otherwise provide healthy meals for themselves.  

• Residents who would like to volunteer as a Meals on Wheels deliver driver, please complete the online application. 

• Meridian Senior Center: For individuals previously served by our Congregate (Senior) Dining Site, TCOA is willing to deliver meals to the Meridian Senior Center and have the meals distributed as a carryout to your vehicle. However, this service must be requested in advance by calling TCOA Community Nutrition Manager Tasha Stetler at 517.887.1393. As Tasha is in and out of the office, please leave a message and she will get back to you promptly. To confirm your eligibility as an individual age 60 and older, you will be required to provide your name and birthdate and answer a few questions to complete your reservation for the meals.

Please contact Meridian Township Human Services Specialist, Darla Jackson, at 517.853.4204 or jackson@meridian.mi.us for information regarding additional resources and assistance. 

• Claiming Unemployment Benefits in Michigan COVID-19 Guide

• Unemployment Resources for Employers

• Unemployment Resources for Employees 

Contact Meridian Township Neighborhoods & Economic Development Director Amber Clark at clark@meridian.mi.us or 517.853.4568 for small business assistance resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Additional resources may also be available through the Lansing Area Economic Partnership (LEAP) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to connect with help of all kinds, right in your community. Need help with food, housing, or paying bills? Need support in a family crisis or community disaster? We’re here for you. Any time. All the time. Just call, text, or search online and we’ll get you connected.

Call 2-1-1 for community assistance resources as well as volunteer opportunities.

The State of Michigan, in partnership with the Connected Nation Michigan, released a statewide Wi-Fi hotspot today to assist residents who currently lack internet access at home.  

The COVID-19 pandemic and transition to remote and distance learning has only increased the need for residents and students to have easy access to broadband services. The Wi-Fi mapping effort, spearheaded by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Connected Nation Michigan, along with the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan Department of Education, is an interim step amid the coronavirus pandemic to spotlight publicly available broadband hotspots for households without internet access. 

State of Michigan Launches Online Map of Free Wi-Fi Hotspots Press Release

State of Michigan Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

State of Michigan Broadband Map

Local Cable & Internet Service Provider Information:

• ACD.net

• AT&T

• Comcast

• Metronet

State leaders encourage anyone facing financial distress because of COVID-19 to contact your utility or propane supplier to ask what kind of protections, funding, flexible payment options, or energy saving tools and resources are available. 

Visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc for utility contact information and consumer tips.  

Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) directly through MI Bridges for bill payment assistance or call 855.275.6424. You can also get assistance with the applications process by calling 211 to be referred to a Michigan Energy Assistance Program grantee that can help.

State leaders encourage anyone facing financial distress because of COVID-19 to apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury’s website to see if you qualify. Even though this funding is distributed by the Department of Treasury, you do not need to pay taxes or wait for a tax return to receive this credit, so apply now if you are eligible. For more information, read the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Home Heating Credit consumer tip.