Wheeling Township Assisting Families with Holiday Giving Programs

‘Tis the season to help a neighbor in need. Wheeling Township is sponsoring two giving programs, Thanksgiving Basket and Adopt a Family, and inviting residents to participate as donors or recipients. Income guidelines for recipients are 200% of the Federal Poverty Line.

“One of the things our community does best is give back to those who are not able to afford a Thanksgiving meal, or presents for their family members,” said Jo Stellato, the director of Finance and Administration for the Township. “The holidays are a time of giving, just as much as they are a time for receiving.”

Thanksgiving Basket: Non-perishable food donations should be packed in a single container. Suggested items include: gravy, a large box of mashed potatoes, two boxes of stuffing, sweet potatoes and/or yams, and two different types of vegetables (frozen vegetables not accepted). Donors are asked to separately include a $20 gift card from a local grocery store so the family is able to purchase a turkey, or another meat for the holiday meal. A full list of desired food items can be found at this link: http://bit.ly/2yy1hqo.

Residents are asked to email mhernandez@wheelingtownship.com, by Sunday, November 12, 2017, with the number of baskets they plan to donate. Completed baskets can be dropped off at Wheeling Township, 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004, on Monday, November 20, 2017, during normal business hours, between 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Adopt a Family (AFP): This program matches donors with in-need Township families. Donors who commit to adopting a family are given a gift ‘wish list’ and are asked to complete the form, which is available with further instructions at wheelingtownship.com under the ‘Calendar of Events and Meetings’ tab. Forms must be completed by Friday, November 17, 2017. Wish list gifts can also be dropped off during normal business hours between Thursday, December 14, and Monday, December 18, 2017.

Those who wish to apply to be a recipient of the AFP program must contact the General Assistance Office to make an appointment. Documents needed to apply include: picture ID for parents, birth certificate for children, the most recent electric bill, proof of all sources of household income for the last 30 days, and a wish list for each child including clothing size and toy suggestions. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, November 2. Only one appointment will be given per family.

For more information on both holiday programs, contact the General Assistance Office at 847-259-7730.

_{Image 1: Township residents are invited to donate Thanksgiving meals to in-need families in the community. Image 2: The Adopt a Family program matches donors with in-need Township families. Donors purchase gifts and clothes for under-resourced children who reside in the Township.}