THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008
Extra $5,000 Will Be Put To Good Use At Food Pantry
State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines) Monday night presented Elk Grove Township trustees with a $5,000 state grant to purchase items for the township's food pantry.
According to Township Supervisor Nanci Vanderweel, the food pantry has seen more usage over the last few months than anytime before.
"These are tough times and we are seeing people we have never seen before," said Vanderweel.
Vanderweel said approximately $1,500 will be used to purchase shelving for the food, and the remainder will go to actual goods.
Approximately two weeks ago, Elk Grove Township started collecting old cell phones residents no longer use.
In collaboration with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Dept., residents can drop off old cell phones between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Township Hall, 2400 S. Arlington Heights Rd. in Arlington Heights.
The purpose of dropping off old phones is from time to time, Cook County Sheriff's Dept. will stop by and collect the phone and then reprogram the phones for emergency purposes only to give to senior citizens, 65 and older.
"This is a marvelous program the township is participating in," said Vanderweel. "If someone unfortunately falls or is having a heart attack, this phone might help them save their lives."
Vanderweel added that this is an ongoing program and the Sheriff's Office will stop by periodically to drop off newly programmed phones and pick up others to program.
There will be a meeting for interested seniors on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Elk Grove Township to explain the program.
Lastly, Vanderweel was recently named the president of Supervisor Division of Township Officials of Cook County.
Vanderweel took over the position at the beginning of July.
She will host a meeting on Aug. 14 for all 30 supervisors in the division to review components they all have in common and exchange ideas on how to improve each of their townships.
Elk Grove Township covers portions of Elk Grove Village, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Rolling Meadows.