Having grown up on the slightly more impersonal West Coast, one of my favorite parts of being a Michigander is seeing how we show up for each other—from neighbors helping each other get unstuck in the snow to communities coming together to clean up after a storm.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that this sense of community extends to restaurants.

Across the state, spots are offering pay-it-forward meals and no-questions-asked support to lift each other up.

Today, The ’Gander’s Chaunie Brusie is highlighting 10 Michigan restaurants where you can give back or grab a meal when you need one.

Plus: Ever wanted to meet a baby sloth? Here’s how you can.

Gas prices in MI jump most in nation (Freep): Gas prices in Michigan are climbing past $4 a gallon, with diesel topping $5, driven by the ongoing war with Iran and disrupted oil supply. Experts warn prices could rise even higher, potentially impacting travel costs and the broader economy if conditions persist.

DNR investigating bald eagle deaths in UP (The Detroit News): Michigan officials are investigating the deaths of five bald eagles found in the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County, saying the protected birds did not die from natural causes. The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public tips as the case is being treated as a potential illegal killing.

Thousands without power in West Michigan following storms (WOOD-TV): Strong winds from two rounds of storms knocked out power to more than 45,000 Consumers Energy customers across West Michigan, with the largest outages reported in Calhoun County and Kalamazoo County.

From a fully free restaurant to cafes that let you pay-it-forward, here are 10 dining establishments in Michigan that let you give and receive free meals. (LaRon Rosser/Unsplash)

By Chaunie Brusie

One of the best parts about Michigan is its residents’ focus on tight-knit, local communities. So it should come as no surprise that several cafes and restaurants in Michigan offer pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward pricing options.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with food, there are, of course, many Michigan food pantries that can provide help, but sometimes, it’s nice to go out and enjoy a restaurant. From a full dining experience with a server and menu to quick bites and coffee shops, here are 10 pay-it-forward Michigan restaurants that let you give or receive.

Random tidbits worth clicking on…

Flash is a 5-month-old sloth who lives at Carousel Acres in South Lyon. (USA Today Network)

🦥 When you think of sloths, your mind probably goes to a jungle in South America, but a petting zoo in southeast Michigan has recently acquired a 5-month-old sloth named Flash which you can meet. Flash joins Priscilla as the second sloth at Carousel Acres.

🖥️ Curious if there’s a data center being proposed in your community? ’Gander political correspondent Kyle Kaminski is keeping track of all of the data centers that are proposed, approved, and already under construction. Find it here.

☁️ Yes, yes, this one kind of seems obvious given what we now know about tobacco use, but a new study out of Australia has found a link between e-cigarettes and oral and lung cancers.

Do you have a cool picture, observation, or comment you’d like to share? Send it here.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Chaunie Brusie. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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