More Than 350 Attend 11th Annual Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn
LANSING, Mich. – The roughly 350 people who attended the Michigan Education Trust's 11th annual Pizza Party on the Michigan State Capitol Lawn got their fill of pizza and helped fill the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which awards scholarships to students enrolled in Michigan college and universities who have experienced foster care. The $12,485 raised at the Wednesday, June 21, pizza party fundraiser will help make the dream of a college education a reality for students who otherwise might lack resources to pursue higher education when they age out of the foster care system.
For a minimum donation of $10, attendees received a slice of pizza, dessert, and a drink.
Again this year, the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Black History Month Committee partnered with the Fostering Futures Scholarship to hold a celebration in honor of Juneteenth.
In addition, over 100 pillows were collected during the pizza party for The Pillow Effect, a Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI) project. Because children entering foster care often don't have their essential personal items with them, The Pillow Effect provides pillows to foster care youth in Ionia, Clinton/Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee counties.
The Pizza Party on the Capitol Lawn is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Hungry Howie's, Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, Park West Foundation, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, Michigan College Access Network, Treasury Black History Month Program Committee, LAFCU, GUD Marketing, Meridian, Michigan Community College Association, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, WLNS TV-6 in Lansing and MSU Federal Credit Union.
Individuals who were unable to attend this year's event can still donate. Any donation, big or small, will make a difference.
To learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund or to donate, go to www.michigan.gov/fosteringfutures.
About MET
Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, MET is the state's Section 529 prepaid tuition program, which allows for the purchase of future college tuition credits based on today's rates. MET, Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) and MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP), Michigan's three Section 529 college savings programs, offer Michigan taxpayers a state income tax deduction on contributions and potential tax-free growth on earnings if account proceeds are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses.
More information about MET is available at www.michigan.gov/setwithmet or 800-MET-4-KID (800-638-4543).
