Ashley Slack, SMCAA Operations Manager
May 19, 2022
Marletta Seats is recognized as one of Michigan Community Action Association's 2022 Volunteer of the Year at Community Action's Day at the Capitol in Lansing.
For over a decade, Marletta Seats has been an active volunteer of Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA). She offers monthly food commodities to the residents of the City of Benton Harbor through SMCAA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and special commodities through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
These commodities are offered in the heart of the city and at her church, Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C., where her son, Duane, serves as pastor. Marletta also recruits volunteers through her church to serve at the SMCAA warehouse and pack commodity boxes regularly throughout the year. Marletta and her recruits have been reliable volunteers during their years of partnering with Community Action to assist with food insecurities throughout the community.
Even the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 did not stop Marletta's drive to help her community; she continued to offer commodities at the church every month in partnership with SMCAA.
In 2021, Marletta stepped up to assist Community Action when elevated lead levels were discovered in the City of Benton Harbor's water supply. Abundant Life was the first faith-based community partner to sign up as a host site for bottled water distribution.
Marletta's continued care and dedication to her community is greatly appreciated.