LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) program allowing eligible Bridge card holders to use their benefits at Michigan restaurants is continuing to expand.
MDHHS is celebrating its fourth year of the Restaurant Meal Program, which launched on Jan. 1, 2021.
The program allows eligible Bridge card holders to use their cards to purchase food from more than 100 participating restaurants in 26 counties across the state.
The Restaurant Meal Program was designed to assist with food needs for anyone who has difficulties preparing their own food due to disability, age or lack of kitchen access.
“The Restaurant Meal Program expands options for individuals who need hot prepared meals,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Additional restaurants are joining the program regularly and the goal is to provide this service in every county in the state.”
Eligible beneficiaries can use their Bridge cards to purchase a meal from the participating restaurants similarly to how groceries are purchased.
MDHHS provided a list of the eligible groups:
- Adults 60 and over
- People who receive disability or blindness payments
- People who receive disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability that is considered permanent
- People experiencing homelessness and these individuals’ spouses
To learn if you are eligible for the Restaurant Meal Program, you can log into your MIBridges account and see if you have a message about your eligibility. If you aren't considered eligible, but believe you should be, you are asked to contact your caseworker.
With over 100 participating restaurants, West Michigan has several locations where Bridge cards are accepted:
Allegan County
- Joezanos Pizza
- Phone: 269-264-1280
- Address: 3606 Lincoln Rd, Hamilton 49419
Kalamazoo County
- Subway #40917
- Phone: 269-372-3227
- Address: 501 N 9th St, Kalamazoo 49009
Kent County
- Burton Village BBQ Company
- Phone: 616-202-7240 803
- Address: Burton St SE, Grand Rapids 49507
- Popeye's 13520
- Address: 2446 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids 49512
- Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger
- Phone: 616-570-0245
- Address: 2020 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids 49507
Muskegon County
- Popeye's 12976
- Address: 1861 E Apple Avenue, Muskegon 49442
Newaygo County
- Sally's Whatta Pizza
- 231-689-6560
- 103 N Charles St, White Cloud 49349
Ottawa County
- NONE
St. Joseph County
- Constantine's Harvey House
- Phone: 269-228-6977
- Address: 125 W Water St, Constantine 49042
Van Buren County
- Fruit Street Kitchen
- Phone: 269-539-4032
- Address: 105 N Paw Paw, Lawrence 49064
If you own a restaurant and want to participate in the program, you can contact MDHHS-RestaurantMealProgram@michigan.gov to enroll.
MDHHS said that more than 322,000 seniors and residents with disabilities and 52,000 residents experiencing homelessness are eligible for the program.
You can learn more about food assistance programs through the state here.
