Borrowing the idea of "onestop shopping," social service agencies in Mackinac County will bring all of their services and information together for one day in one place, even providing free transportation and a hot meal, to better reach families who need their help.

Called Community Care Connection, the event will be Monday, November 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hope Chest resale store on Ferry Lane in St. Ignace. There, people will find information about housing, health care, job assistance, budgeting, nutrition, and immunizations. All services are free, and participants will be offered free clothing from the Hope Chest, lunch, and a gift bag to take home. Organizers expect about 100 local residents to attend. No registration is necessary.

"The idea is to try to help the population who are in need, who are maybe close to being homeless, and who might not have transportation to all of these different agencies that provide services," said Ronda Schlehuber, the county's Housing First coordinator. "This time of year can be tough for people because they have higher costs for heating, for example, so we hope to head off any problems and arrange for needed services before winter starts."

People can learn about local programs to help pay utility bills, get commodity foods, and find and pay for housing, as well as receive help in writing a resume or job application. Health screenings and information will also be offered. A hairdresser will be on hand to offer free haircuts from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Child care will be available at the site.

Tables will be set up in the large room at the back of the resale store, and lunch will be served there as well, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Hope Chest will not accept donations of resale items that day.

The program has two goals, to help people in need and to bring more community awareness to the problems of poverty and homelessness, said Ronda Engle of the Department of Human Services. No statistics are available, but there is a significant local housing problem, she said.

"Do we really have homeless people in Mackinac County? Maybe not living outside in a cardboard box, no, but sleeping on Auntie's couch, or two families living together in crowded conditions, yes," she said. "This is a one day, one-stop-shop event. We want to bring awareness to the programs that can help people, and show what services can benefit them and keep them in their homes if they are struggling. Affordable housing is a big issue in Mackinac County."

Organizers are now accepting donations from the community, such as coupons for businesses, toiletries, and hygiene items, to be distributed at the program. For example, dental offices have already donated toothpaste and toothbrushes.

People can arrange for free transportation to the event by calling Ronda Engle at 643-6115 or Ronda Schlehuber at 643-7884.

Donations can also be made by calling these numbers.

Participating agencies include the Department of Human Services, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Salvation Army, Legacy House, Community Action Agency, Michigan Works, Head Start, the Diane Peppler Resource Center, U.P. Health Access Coalition, Michigan State University Extension, Hope Chest, and Housing Opportunities Made Equal.

Costs of the program are paid by a $750 grant from E.U.P. Continuum of Care in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties. Headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, the agency addresses housing and shelter needs for homeless people, or people at risk of homelessness.