BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Lake Michigan College (LMC) is receiving three state grants totaling $525,000 in the name of supporting student's basic needs, hunger, and mental health.

Two of these grants come from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), including the two-year Barrier Removal Grant at $400,000.

The Barrier Removal Grant is meant to help LMC with becoming more proactive in providing student services by creating a Community Resource Center on the Benton Harbor campus and creating a digital tool to connect students to mental health resources.

The other MiLEAP grant is the $75,000 Hunger-Free Campus Grant, which is intended to expand access to food across the Benton Harbor, South Haven, and Bertrand Innovation Center (BIC) campuses. This includes more food pickup locations and upgraded Snack Shacks.

The third grant is the $50,000 Pathways Together Initiative from the Ohio-Michigan Basic Needs Initiative. It is meant to help LMC with responding to basic student needs.