Skokie Assist-A-Family Program Supports Families, Local Business

SKOKIE, IL — Village officials are seeking donations from the community to help Skokie families with limited financial resources celebrate the holiday season.

Skokie's annual Assist-A-Family program provides support through gift cards to local businesses that can be used to buy food, household items and other necessities.

Last year, the program provided gift cards to 439 members of 145 Skokie households, which included nearly 250 children, according to village staff.

This year, there is more need than ever before amid the coronavirus pandemic. In recent months, social workers with the Skokie Health and Human Services Department have helped support and offer connections to numerous residents.

According to village staff, they include: a single mother of two who lost her job and fell behind on rent due to delays in receiving unemployment insurance benefits, a family where the sole income earner died from COVID-19, a senior citizen who began missing payments on her house after her non-essential business was ordered shuttered and a family of five that missed mortgage payments after both parents lost their job during the shutdown.

On Tuesday, staff reported an anonymous donor donated $500, explaining her family had received charitable support when she was a child and she wanted to pass it on to those in need.

Anyone interested in donating to the 2020 Skokie Assist-A-Family program may make a charitable donation online. Village staff will also accept checks, with "Skokie Assist-A-Family" noted on the memo line, mailed to Village Hall at 5127 Oakton St., Skokie, IL, 60077.

Separately, the Niles Township government offers support for local families including general assistance, emergency assistance and a COVID-19 response fund, which was created for those struggling financially during the pandemic who do not qualify for other financial serves.

A total of 141 people had applied for the program and 117 had been approved, as of the township board's October meeting, with the average disbursement standing at nearly $1,000 per approved applicant.

Niles Township has also raised more than $50,000 from local businesses, politicians and community members to ensure that every family in need will receive a full holiday meal and a gift card for each child, according to a spokesperson.

And on Monday, patrons of Dengeo's Restaurant at 3301 Main St. can help supply presents for local children, support a local business and get great food at the same time.

Customers who mention "Cops and Kids" on Dec. 7 will have 20 percent of their bill donated to the program, which is sponsored by the local police union. Last year, it provided gifts for between 75 and 100 children.