Help in Hard Times

Help in Hard Times

The organizations and companies listed below were compiled to help you through hard times.  In addition, there are several local organizations including:

• Community Food Pantry (for anyone) is housed in the Princeville Presbyterian Church, 339 S. Santa Fe Av., Princeville 385-4402. Distributes 5-6 p.m. every 1st & 3rd Thurs. of the month - totally confidential
• Backpack program for PCUSD #326 school children contact schools PJSHS 385-4660/PGS 385-4994. Students receive a backpack on Fri. (oldest child in family) filled with food & snacks for the wknd.
• Township Supervisor (for those living within each particular township.) has funds to provide some Ameren help, rental aid, help with medications, etc. Princeville is broken into several townships so consult the Village website for supervisor contacts at https://princeville.org/local-government/

*** All information published herein is gathered from sources which are thought to be reliable, but the reader should not assume that the information is official or final. The Lillie M. Evans Library District does not assume responsibility for errors, and all information is subject to change without notice. Programs, projects and links listed here are not operated by nor are they the responsibility of the library. Links from this page to external web sites are provided as a service to our users and do not constitute an endorsement by the Lillie M. Evans Library District.***

Table of Contents
Click an organization or company to see more information about their services and how to contact them.

Disability Works – Increasing economic opportunities for people with disabilities. They are dedicated to helping you find a rewarding work experience in Illinois. Through Disability Works you can look for a job, find job placement services, find job skills training, or learn about what Illinois community colleges and universities have to offer.

Goodwill Industries – Goodwill shopping is for anyone, regardless of income, who wants to save money. In-store surveys show that people from all walks of life and incomes shop at Goodwill frequently. Plus, they use the proceeds from all their store sales to fund their job training and employment services.

IL AllKids – AllKids is comprehensive healthcare for kids that includes doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. Parents pay monthly premiums for the coverage, but rates for middle-income families are significantly lower than they are on the private market.

IL Department of Employment Security (Unemployment Office) – IDES is your direct link to Illinois workforce services: job placement and referrals, unemployment insurance, employment and training programs, career and labor market information, payroll tax filing, and more!  

IL Department of Human Services (DHS) – DHS can help meet your basic needs, cope with illness, emergencies, or other challenges to self-sufficiency.

Most Requested Services

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps) - get a link-debit card for groceries.
• Cash - temporary income support while you find work.
• Medical Assistance Programs - free or reduced-cost medical care.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - cash for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent child.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - extra nutrition for pregnant women, their babies and small children.

IL FamilyCare – FamilyCare offers healthcare coverage to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger. FamilyCare also covers relatives who are caring for children in place of their parents. Like All Kids, FamilyCare covers doctor visits, dental care, specialty medical services, hospital care, emergency services, prescription drugs and more.

IL Skills & Interest Surveys – Start exploring your skills and interests while also discovering new career paths with the skills and interest surveys on Illinois workNet! Provided by the Illinois Career Information System (CIS) (brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security) these surveys are free to use at any time. 

Monster (Job Site) – Free job search site. Companies post jobs looking for potential employees. You may post your resume free and submit it to employers or allow employers to browse for your resume and contact you. There are several ads on this site that are not always 100% free services. Beware when clicking on them or signing up for them.

PeoriaHelpWanted.com – Free local job search site. Local companies post jobs looking potential employees. You may post your resume free and submit it to employers or allow employers to browse for your resume and contact you. There are several ads on this site that are not always 100% free services. Beware when clicking on them or signing up for them.

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. – Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is a United Way Agency. They provide free legal services to low income persons and senior citizens with civil legal problems. To see if you are eligible for Prairie State’s services, call the office that serves your county:
Serving Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Marshall Counties.
331 Fulton St, Ste 611
Peoria, IL  61602
(309) 674-9831

Salvation Army – The Salvation Army offers seasonal assistance, social services, adult rehabilitation, shelters, feeding programs, disaster relief or child care. The Salvation Army provides help for today's people in need and hope for future generations. They also have retail stores filled with clothes, housewares, furniture, toys and more. Plus they use the proceeds to fund the services they offer.

SeniorNet – SeniorNet's mission is to provide adults 50+ education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom. Courses are offered on a variety of topics from basic computer usage to internet and email training. They also offer courses on digital photography and genealogy. WARNING: CLASSES ARE LOW COST, BUT NOT FREE.

Social Security Online – What can I do online?

• Apply for benefits.
• Check if you qualify.
• Estimate future benefits.

Tax Assistance (Free)–It's your refund. Get it fast. Get it all. The State of Illinois urges you to avoid RALs (Refund Anticipation Loans) and instead chose Illinois E-Filing at www.tax.illinois.gov, and file your federal taxes online at www.irs.gov. Find out more about RALs and how and where to get free tax assistance.

Toys for Tots – The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Visit their site to request toys this Christmas or to find out how and where to donate new unwrapped toys.

Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS)– The mission statement for VETS is to provide veterans and transitioning service members with the resources and services to succeed in the 21st century workforce by maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights and meeting labor-market demands with qualified veterans today.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy. Who can receive these services?

• Pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
• Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
• Families with a low to medium income; see the United States Department of Agriculture WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Work 4 Illinois –This links to the State of Illinois web-based electronic hiring system. This system significantly expands access to state employment while increasing transparency, accessibility, accountability, and consistency in the state hiring process. The State provides job opportunities in a wide range of occupations and titles. This website will guide you through the state employment process for the departments under the jurisdiction of the Governor. The State of Illinois is required to comply with certain hiring criteria when selecting individuals for employment.

YMCA – For the past 160 years the Greater Peoria Family YMCA has been a community based service organization dedicated to building the mind, body and spirit for members of the Peoria area community.  By offering value-based programs emphasizing education, health and recreation for individuals regardless of sex, race or socio-economic status. 

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