Emergency Assistance Department
Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department provides basic human
needs. Food is the most requested basic need. Other services include
emergency financial assistance, benefits screening, clothing, emergency
shelter, short-term case management, advocacy, and referrals.
Despite unemployment in Illinois seeing a slight decrease, those who turn
to Catholic Charities for help are still facing a significant roadblock and are
struggling to provide for their families. The majority of jobs that pay family-
supporting wages now require some amount of postsecondary education,
training, or certification. This creates a significant obstacle for our clients who
have less education or work experience.
Last year, the Emergency Assistance Department served 1.8 million meals
through our eight food pantries and screened nearly 1,200 people for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The department also received
74,000 requests for rent and utility assistance. Without the assistance
provided by Catholic Charities, some of the most vulnerable people in our
area would have nowhere else to turn for basic human needs.
Your contribution gives people in need — people who live and work in your
community — help and hope.