North Cook Intermediate Service Center & Regional Office of Education

1001 E. Touhy Avenue, Suite 200 • Des Plaines, IL 60018

HOMELESSNESS & FOOD RESOURCES

We've compiled a list of resources for our neediest families where they can access food, rent assistance, legal help and more, many provided by Tom Bookler, North Cook ISC McKinney-Vento Liaison.

• Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic: https://findhelp.org/

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)
Families with school aged children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals should receive extra SNAP benefits through Pandemic EBT. This benefit is calculated using $5.70 per day. Families who have school aged children and are currently receiving SNAP do not have to take any action to receive these P-EBT benefits. Households with school aged children who are eligible for free or reduced meals when school is in session, but who do not currently receive SNAP benefits, will be able to submit a simplified application for P-EBT benefits using the https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/ online portal or by completing a paper application, which will be available at the IDHS website.

Meals for Kids Interactive Map
Find meals for kids when schools are closed. This site directs people to local sites where kids can get free meals. The maps are available in English and Spanish.

North Cook County's Township Food Pantries:

Barrington Township Food Pantry

Elk Grove Township Food Pantry

Evanston Township Food Pantry

Maine Township Food Pantry

New Trier Township Food Pantry

Niles Township Food Pantry

Northfield Township Food Pantry

Palatine Township Food Pantry

Schaumburg Township Food Pantry

Wheeling Township Food Pantry

The Greater Chicago Food Depository has set up a fundraising page specifically for coronavirus donations: chicagosfoodbank.org/covid

Northern Illinois Food Bank recommends that people in need of food use their website to find their closest food pantry and opening hours etc.: https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/where-to-get-food/

Metropolitan Tenants Organization's Renter's Resources During COVID-19
Shares tips for Chicagoland renters, resources for those who cannot pay rent, and news regarding moratoriums on evictions, utility cut offs, etc.

ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE-LEGAL ISSUES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Legal guidance for a variety of COVID related questions about, but not limited to, the following: Work, Housing, Healthcare, Public benefits, Consumer scams, Driver's licenses and IDs, Taxes, Traffic tickets and towing, Parenting time, Signing documents, and Student loans.

Homeless Support

Homeless liaisons and School District liaisons work directly with families during this trying time to make sure that homeless children and unaccompanied youth have materials needed to complete school assignments, access to meals, and to ensure their safety and stability. They also work to identify and locate specific services or connections with other agencies.

In suburban Cook County, if you have any questions or need more information, contact Dr. Tom Bookler at tbookler@ncisc.org or 847-803-5605 and also 630-386-0883. View Lead Area Homeless liaison contact information.

CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County)
Suburban Cook County family support resources, information, and referral helpline – FLYER

Youth Homelessness Poster
Hotlines for resources for unaccompanied youth both 17 years of age and younger and 18 years of age and older, including food, healthcare, emergency shelter and temporary housing – POSTER

North/Northwest Suburbs Resource Directory
Association of Homeless Advocates in the North/Northwest District (AHAND) – DIRECTORY

Guidance from SchoolHouse Connection regarding COVID-19 and Homelessness
COVID-19 and Homelessness: Strategies for Schools and Early Learning Programs

IDPH Recommended Guidance – Homeless Shelters
Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Homeless Shelters