GENERAL ASSISTANCE

“We are privileged to be able to offer these valuable services to our senior and disabled residents,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney. “Helping these individuals to get to where they need to go – whether it be a doctor’s appointment or even a trip to the grocery store – assists them in maintaining their independence.” Elk Grove Township owns and maintains its own fleet of buses; lifts are available for passengers who use wheelchairs, and for those who have difficulty navigating steps. Through the Township Rider Initiative Program (TRIP), Township buses can transport residents  only to medical services/appointments located outside of Elk Grove Township. Those who utilize this program must be 60 years of age and older, or 18 and older and have a permanent disability.          Disabled riders who qualify are required to have a service animal, a caregiver, or an attendant to assist them during trips—because bus drivers are unable to leave to the vehicle at any time. The maximum cost for a one-way trip is $10.00 through this program. In addition to TRIP, Elk Grove Township offers regular bus services, also known as DIAL-A-BUS, which is available to seniors who are 55 and older, Monday through Friday between 930 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bus trips can either be medically-related or can also include transportation to beauty or barber shop appointments, grocery stores or other shopping, senior citizen centers, and other locations depending on the day of the week. Dialysis and doctor appointments always take precedence when scheduling, and all trips must be reserved at least one day in advance. While there is no cost for this service, monetary donations are accepted to help defray the cost to the Township. Taxi services are additionally provided through a partnership with 303 Taxi based in Mount Prospect. Seniors who can take advantage of the taxi program must be 55 years of age or older, and are not required to provide a physician’s approval to utilize this service. Residents who are disabled and 18 years of age or older can also use taxis through the Township, but must provide documentation stating they are developmentally disabled, ADA certified, or have an extreme mental illness. Approved taxi riders are provided with 10 vouchers per month valued at $5.00 each; only one $5 voucher can be used per one-way trip. Vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue. In order to qualify for transportation services, potential riders must fill out an application form that provides proof of residency, age and emergency contact information. The online application for bus and taxi services can be found under their appropriate headings at elkgrovetownship.com/senior/. For more information or to schedule a pick up, please call the Township at 847-437-0300.

Passports: Elk Grove Township is a Passport Acceptance Facility and can process required documents for all passport applications. New passports, or passports for minors or adults, as well as replacements for lost, stolen or damaged passports are also available. Individuals must appear in person to access these services; the standard processing time is between six and eight weeks. Prescription Drug Cards: Elk Grove Township can assist residents in registering to receive the Coast2Coast Rx Card (“The Card”). This is a free discount prescription card honored by nearly 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, that offers discounts on more than 60,000 drugs which cover general medications, dental care and eye care costs. Savings on a single prescription can be as high as 75% and even more off retail drug prices, and cardholders save on both brand name and generic drugs. All members of a family can use the card, as there are no age, income, or other exclusions. Hunting Licenses: These licenses are now on sale, and available through the Elk Grove Township Clerk’s office, 2400 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. Current licenses will expire on March 31, 2019. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is committed to protecting wildlife resources in the state, while expanding hunting opportunities to help manage wildlife throughout Illinois. Community Resource Board: Area business and community organizations are invited to drop off flyers to be posted on the Community Resource Board, which is located in the foyer of Elk Grove Township offices (2400 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights). This board has information relating to community and events happening in Elk Grove Township, resources for Veterans, health and wellness education and information, senior resources, and other information for Township residents, Education and training, job seekers and help wanted flyers are also posted on the board. Area organizations can also submit forms to have flyers posted online at the Elk Grove Township website by visiting elkgrovetownship.com/user_request/. For more information about all of the program and services available to residents of Elk Grove Township, please call 847-437-0300 or visit the website at elkgrovetownship.com.

Friday, December 7 is a ‘double match’ day, where any size donation will be matched twice by Meijer. For example, a $10 donation will be increased to $30—on this day only. “Meijer has been an amazing partner with the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry for the last three years,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney. “This program helps us to purchase needed items, many of which are rarely donated, along other supplies that are vital in helping those that we serve and assist.” Monetary donations are converted into a Meijer food-only gift card, and donated directly to the food pantry. Donations of any amount will be accepted, and are greatly appreciated by the Township. Meijer’s Simply Give program began in 2008 and is a signature fundraising effort for hunger relief efforts around the country. The program has generated more than $43 million for its partners across the U.S., including the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry, which is also focused on helping to address hunger. Elk Grove Township has partnered with Meijer for the Simply Give program since the spring of 2016. For more information, visit meijercommunity.com/community-needs/hunger-relief/simply-give/ or contact Lisa via email at LMenich@elkgrovetownship.com or by calling 224-222-0944.

Elk Grove Township is sponsoring the Elk Grove Township Cereal Bowl III competition, where students and community members are invited to win first place on behalf of their favorite team by donating boxes of cereal to benefit the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry. During the inaugural competition in 2016, the Rolling Meadows Mustangs won by collecting 1,040 boxes of cereal; the Grenadiers were victorious in 2017 after collecting 952 boxes. “We are always thrilled to see students from Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove high schools give back to their community. We thank them, along with their fans, for their efforts to make Cereal Bowl III a success,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney. “This collection will have a significant impact on residents who depend on the Township Food Pantry.” Fans from each team are encouraged to bring boxes of cereal to the football game at Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 Central Road in Rolling Meadows to support their team. The freshman game starts at 4:45 p.m. and varsity begins at 7:30 p.m. Elk Grove Township representatives will be at the main gate to receive and tabulate donations dropped off at the game. Fans who cannot attend can drop off donations at the Elk Grove Township offices, 2400 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights, until 4:00 p.m. on September 21. When dropping of donations, donors should communicate which school they are donating on behalf of. This friendly competition earns bragging rights for the winning side, along with an engraved traveling trophy that will remain at the winning school until next year’s Cereal Bowl Competition. All donated cereal will be a part of the food distributed to the hundreds of Elk Grove Township residents that receive food pantry assistance each month. Cash donations will also be accepted but will not be part of the competition. For more information, please call Elk Grove Township at 847-437-0300.