Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal provides food to nonprofit agencies across Central Illinois and beyond. Organizations include food pantries, homeless shelters, residential programs and children’s food programs. In an effort to serve more agencies, Midwest Food Bank offers volunteer opportunities and several off-site places where agencies can pick up food.

Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal’s website also includes:

• Frequently asked questions about the food bank with more information
• Help with finding food resources in your area

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.

A small sampling of NFB resources includes:

• Braille resources
• Free White Cane Program
• Free Slate and Stylus Program
• Scholarships and awards
• Career mentoring

For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org

There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email  president@nfbofillinois.org.

The Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition provides resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance coverage for behavioral health services for autism, developmental disabilities and mental health conditions in Illinois.

Coalition resources include:

• An interactive map and listing of providers
• Medicaid access and informational videos
• Help with navigating insurance benefits and coverage
• Information on financial support for co-pays

For more information, contact the Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition at (614) 565-5765 or help@ilasd.com.

The We Got You Illinois website’s Find Food mapping tool provides help in locating free groceries, meal programs and other support programs throughout Illinois. Map filters can also help you find organizations that are open on a day that suits your schedule best.

You can also explore the We Got You Illinois website to learn more about:

• Nutrition programs for your household
• Nutrition program updates

The Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) Provider Profile Search provides help with finding IDoA services and providers throughout Illinois. Services are listed by county and include local contacts for the Area Agency on Aging, in-home service, care coordination and more.

For more information, contact:

• The Senior Helpline at (800) 252-8966/ TTY (800) 206-1327
• aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Find Food website offers a list of advocacy, education, and social support services, as well as links to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois. IDHS Find Food resources include:

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) Lobby Resources
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

You can contact the IDHS Helpline at:

• 1 (800) 843-6154
• 1(866) 324-5553 TTY

The Early Years Project is a free online toolkit from the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program featuring easy-to-follow videos, activities and resources. Parents, caregivers, and educators can use these materials to help foster sensory development in young children, from birth to 6 years old.

The Early Years Project toolkit aims to supplement home visiting and early education programs. It includes information on developmental milestones, activities, resources and more in four areas:

• Hearing
• Vision
• Communication
• Language

Helping Hand is a nonprofit organization empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Chicagoland through person-centered education, therapy, residential and employment programs.

Helping Hand programs and services, include:

• An outpatient clinic
• School
• Community day services
• Residential living services
• Employment program

For more information, call (708) 352-3580 or email info@helpinghand-il.org.

Best Buddies in Illinois offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies offers chapters throughout Illinois. Programs and opportunities include:

• Best Buddies Friendship program, which offers social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion
• Best Buddies Jobs program, which helps secure jobs for people with IDD.
• Best Buddies Leadership Development programs, which educate and empower people with IDD to be leaders, public speakers and advocates

For contact information, visit the Best Buddies in Illinois staff directory page.

The Caregiver Action Network’s Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) is committed to helping and supporting caregivers, families, and patients navigate specialized supports and resources.

FAM recognizes the diversity and specialized support caregivers need to navigate substance use disorders and mental health care. FAM can connect caregivers with tailored tools and news to help navigate the complex mental healthcare landscape and advocate for their loved ones, and take care of their own health. FAM also provides educational articles, webinars, training, and other resources with lessons from fellow caregivers, healthcare professionals, social workers and others.