THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008
Township Tries To Keep Up
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
As prices for food and fuel skyrocket, local residents continue to turn to township government and other agencies for help.
Elk Grove Township offers an extensive set of services for residents in need. Requests for help are up.
Elk Grove Township Director of General Assistance Julie Villarreal said she sees the impact of higher food and fuel costs.
"It's a very short trip to the other side of the desk," said Villarreal reflecting on her own 15-mile commute to work.
She said that requests for help from the township's food pantry and referrals for medical care have increased substantially.
The township offers food assistance, referrals to the Suburban Health Care Council for medical care for the uninsured, and a mobile dental clinic as well as emergency financial assistance.
The township has given 54 households food assistance this month (April).
Villarreal said that translates to 151 people.
She explained that requests have been climbing since January when the township had only 25 requests from households. One year ago in April, 36 requests were processed.
Requests are also on the rise for help with medical care. In January the township made five referrals for care. This month so far they have made 15 referrals.
Use of the mobile dental clinic has also remained consistent.
Residents who meet income guidelines of 200% of the poverty rate can qualify for food aid, health care and can visit the mobile dental clinic at the township Town Hall in Arlington Heights four to six times a month.
Additional general and emergency financial assistance is available with stricter guidelines to those who are in more desperate financial need.
Township grants are paid directly to landlords or utility companies.
The township works closely with Elk Grove Village to supply volunteers to act as a Service Extension Unit site for the Salvation Army.
The Unit provides funds in the event of a financial emergency such as an eviction, loss of a utility or unexpected medical cost.
The township helps residents by acting as an intake site for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federal program to help off set home heating bills.
The Judy Dixon Angel Fund, named for a former General Assistance director, gives financial aid to those who may not qualify for other assistance programs.
The Herbert E. Linneweh Food Fund, named for a Mt. Prospect resident who left a large bequest to the township, assists the local food pantry.
Villarreal said donations are down which is expected for this time of year. She said donations peak for the holidays and decrease as temperature warms. The township has several sources of consistent donations.
Elk Grove VFW Post 9284, Des Plaines Elks, Elk Grove Village Kiwanis and Elk Grove Village Rotary clubs make regular cash donations.
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Elk Grove Village and the Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary in Mt. Prospect make regular contributions. Elk Grove Township Elementary School Dist. 59's Brentwood School in Des Plaines conducted a food drive for the township last February for Valentine's Day.
Elk Grove Township Town Hall is located at 2400 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.