Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative (PRI) will present a Saturday Special - Free Tax Preparation event hosted at Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District’s Career-Tech Center. Free tax preparation assistance will be provided to attendees, along with workshops on topics such as personal finance, housing, homelessness and foreclosures, legal services, Helplink, and more.

The February 5 event is at TBAISD Career-Tech Center, 880 Parsons Road in Traverse City and begins with check-in at 9:00 a.m. and runs through 3:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance by calling 800-442-1713 or 231-947-8920. Space is limited.

All are invited to gather valuable information about emerging successfully from financial challenges and staying organized in the future. There is no charge for the educational workshops or tax preparation assistance. The Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative welcomes families to the event and will provide free daycare, lunch and snacks.

Other event features include:

·         Community agencies presenting critical support opportunities for those in need

·         Michigan State University Extension representatives demonstrating healthy, affordable cooking

·         Traverse City Police Department promoting “safe community” techniques

·         Prize and food giveaways

Additional information is available at www.nwm.org/pri.asp.

The Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative works to reduce the impact of poverty in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska, and Antrim counties. Saturday Specials are presented two times per year to support the PRI mission in conjunction with the following community partners: Project Homeless Connect, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, NWMI Works!, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, United Way, Northwest Michigan Tax Coalition, Northwestern Bank, Members Credit Union and Father Fred Foundation.