BEDS March 2021 eNewsletter

Tischler Finer Foods, Brookfield Elks partner on Match a Meal program

Tischler Finer Foods in Brookfield and the Brookfield Elks Club 1510 are partnering to help feed BEDS clients through the popular Match a Meal program. Customers can purchase a $6 basket at the Brookfield grocer and the Elks will match up to $1,200 in donations. Baskets of food will be delivered to BEDS by Tischler Finer Foods.

The Match a Meal program launched last March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly garnered the support of local restaurants including Palmer Place Restaurant and Biergarten in downtown La Grange and local businesses such as Philip Wagler American Family Insurance . The Elks partnership with Tischler Finer Foods marks the program's first participation from a retail business.

Want to help feed the food insecure and support a small, family-owned local grocer? Consider participating in the BEDS Plus Care Match a Meal program! The program is a great way to not only support a local business but help provide meal donations for those who are in need.

BEDS receives grant to support healthy meals

The Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) awarded us a grant to ensure our permanent and transitional housing clients have healthy food and beverage options. Over the next year, our "Food Service Champions" Sue Dever, emergency services coordinator, and Janie Cundiff, housing case aide, will receive IPHI technical assistance, training, and connections to other grantees across the state. Their efforts will strengthen our increasingly essential Food Rescue program.

In Case You Missed It on Facebook

Congratulations to our newest Ogden Avenue Supportive Housing facility resident, Michael! Our Street Outreach team found Michael and assisted him in connecting with the Hines VA. Michael was temporarily housed at a house for veterans in Joliet and approved for housing at OASH through the Statewide Referral Network. #ilsupportivehousing

BEDS Bulletin! According to a New York Times report, those with disabilities are disproportionately employed in industries that have suffered in the COVID-19 pandemic. The NYT noted that as brutal as the economic downturn triggered by COVID-19 has been in much of the U.S., it has been especially devastating for the nearly 6 million Americans with disabilities in the labor force. In Chicago, 40% of the almost 200 people with disabilities who had found jobs through the nonprofit Aspire lost them and remain unemployed. The problem is that these workers are disproportionately employed in industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic and also are more likely to be in entry-level positions.

Congratulations to Tiffany, who was recently housed! Throughout the process of working with BEDS toward housing, Tiffany expressed how truly grateful she was to have an opportunity to start over. We wish you the best in your new home!

Oh baby! Help new moms in our program by participating in our BEDS Baby Shower. Our new moms are in need of baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, bottles, onesies and crib bedding. Find our Amazon Wish List here.

Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance

If you live in suburban Cook County and have lost income due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Cook County Government rental assistance. Applications will be accepted through April 2.

The Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program pays up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities payments and up to 3 months of future rent payments. Payments will be made directly to your landlord and utility company. Apply at www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery.

Get prepared to apply:

1. Check your eligibility at www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery

2. Download the application checklist and gather your documents

If you need help applying and gathering your documents, contact BEDS Manager of Stabilization Services Joann Boblick via email at boblick@beds-plus.org or by phone at 708-354-0858 ext 116. You can also contact the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance helpline at 877-426-6515.

Please share with anyone you know who might need help.

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