Approximately 150 Clio area families visit the Safety Net Store in downtown Clio twice a month for their choice of breakfast food, soup, cans of fruit and vegetables, meats, toiletries, and more.
It's the only service of its kind in the northern tier of Genesee County—a rural region that often extends outside the scope of food distribution networks in Flint and Saginaw.
At the heart of this initiative is the Clio Area Human Services Fund, which established the Safety Net Store in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the community's growing needs. Guided by its mission to serve as a "safety net," the fund provides comprehensive resources that meet the holistic needs of families in the area.
"We do not give out any expired food," says Clio Area Human Services Fund Treasurer Nate Jonker. "We buy only food and necessities I would eat myself."
In 2023, the Clio Area Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint awarded the Safety Net Store a $3,700 grant, helping it continue its mission of supporting families striving to improve their financial stability.
Beyond food distribution, the Clio Human Services Fund empowers families through wide-ranging support, investing over $120,000 in 2024 to help them achieve their goals and improve their overall well-being.
"There are monthly meetings with food necessities and educational services to 50 families identified by Clio Schools in partnership with Genesee Health Plan," says Jonker. "School families receive shoes, clothing, personal items, and rent and utility assistance."
Christmas in Clio
One of the fund's signature initiatives is Christmas in Clio, an annual event that brings joy and relief to Clio residents. In December 2024, the event served 130 older families and 120 school families with over 300 children.
Families received food, necessities, and items like towels, washcloths, hats, and gloves. They also received "fun" items such as toys, Clio Kindness Shirts, and gift cards.
"Parents shopped for the specific gifts just right for their children—at 10 percent of the face value," said Jonker. "Families also received gift cards and coupons for family "experiences" such as bowling, go-carting, the movies, and many other choices for fun family outings."
This effort, funded by individual donors, local churches, and businesses, raised over $25,000 in 2024. The Human Services Fund and the Christmas in Clio Committee have established the Christmas in Clio Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint — and are currently accepting donations to continue this effort for many years to come.
How to Get Involved
The 12-member Human Services Fund Board is working to expand its partnership to provide more holistic support to families through education, workshops, and connecting to other resources in the community to help them on a path to sustainability.
According to Jonker, community members can join this mission by volunteering to unload trucks, stock shelves, or assist with other essential tasks. For those who wish to make a lasting impact on the Christmas in Clio event, gifts to the Christmas in Clio Fund are welcome.
Visit the Safety Net Store's Facebook page for more information.
