The United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) supports a variety of local health and human services programs to empower residents to raise their quality of life.

Programs supported through United Way of St. Clair County include:

• United Way 211
• Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP)
• The Community Information Exchange (CIE) and more

The Southwest Collective is an open forum for southwest side residents to voice their concerns, learn about resources and connect with opportunities and fun specific to the southwest side of Chicago. Resources include “Freebies for Families” events, small business support, providing food to people in high-need areas, weekly free art classes at De Colores Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Archer Heights, little free libraries and more.​

These resources are specific to the southwest side of Chicago.

The Salvation Army of Freeport and Stephenson County provides a wide range of programs and services to area families and individuals to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. The Salvation Army can help with bills, child care, employment, housing and emergencies.  It also works to connect individuals to outside resources that can benefit personal growth and support.

The Salvation Army of Freeport and Stephenson County is at 524 West Stephenson Street in Freeport. For more information, please call (815) 235-7638.
Freeport, IL

Catholic Quad Cities offers food pantries and outreach throughout the area. Visit its Works of Mercy page for a list of pantries, services and when each location is open.

St. Mary’s Food Pantry provides food to anyone living below 12th Avenue in Moline and between 53rd Street in Moline and 39th Street in Rock Island. Active members of St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Ann’s in Moline can also pick up food regardless of their address. Residents in the service area can pick up food once a month by providing a photo ID (such as a driver’s license) or a piece of mail with a current address.

St. Mary’s Food Pantry is at 412 10th St., in Moline. It is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For questions, please call (309) 764-1562.

The St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry provides emergency food to families in need who reside in the food pantry service zone. Visitors are provided with a pre-packed box of food items, along with milk, eggs, and protein. Visitors are encouraged to schedule visits every 30 days, but can return each week for bread and fresh vegetables that may be available.

St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry is at 1705 Oak Street. The pantry is open on:

• Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m.

For questions, please call (563) 355-4161.

The Springfield Mass Transit District provides free or reduced fare programs for eligible residents with disabilities and seniors. You must meet eligibility requirements and enroll to use the Benefit Access, Access Sangamon or Reduced Fare ID programs. For the latest information, visit www.smtd.org/news.

• Benefit Access allows program members to ride any fixed-route bus free of charge. If you do not qualify for Benefit Access, you may still be eligible for a reduced fare ID. Apply for the Benefit Access program online on the Illinois Department on Aging’s website.
• The Reduced Fare ID allows people with disabilities and seniors to ride any fixed-route bus for just under half the price of a normal fare.
• Access Sangamon provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the SMTD fixed-route bus service. Individuals with disabilities must apply to become eligible to use the service.

The Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Distribution Center is managed and run by volunteers. The pantry is open daily from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Rock Island Township Hall, 2827 7th Avenue, in Rock Island. Area residents can pick up food once a month (Scott County residents can come to the pantry once and will be given a list of agencies and food pantries in Iowa). Food is provided based on the number of people in the household.

For more information, please call (309) 794-0660.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) preserves and promotes the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and U.S. territories. Resources include videos in American Sign Language (ASL) on a wide range of topics, a list of universities and education resources by state, webinars and more for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, their families and friends.

All children have unique needs in emergencies, but care for children with special healthcare needs is often more complex because of their various health conditions and extra care requirements. They may have a hard time moving from one place to another, urgent or constant medical needs, difficulty communicating or have trouble with transitioning to different situations. A disaster can present all these difficulties at once.

The CDC’s Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies page provides tips for creating an emergency kit and practicing an emergency care plan to help children stay safe and feel calm during an emergency. It also includes tips on involving your child’s healthcare provider and local emergency services in your planning.