Our Programs

RESPOND NOW attempts to help all people who have a genuine need. We strive to provide our services in a manner that maintains dignity and choice. We treat our clients as individuals and maintain a supportive environment for individuals who require assistance. On a daily basis, some of the problems we address are:

•  Food - We provide the basic staples and non-perishable items including, if necessary, baby food and formula.
  Respond Now's major source of food is the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
  Click here to see their annual report.

•  Rent Assistance - We provide funds to avert eviction or for rental deposits to secure a lease.

•  Utilities - We provide funds to keep utilities (water, gas, electric) operating.

•  Prescription Medications - We provide vouchers for urgently needed medications, which are filled by a local pharmacy at discounted prices.

•  Temporary Lodging - We provide funds for local motels for families who have lost their homes through fire or eviction.

•  Clothing - We provide clean, used clothing donated by individuals or groups. We also provide funds for work shoes.

•  Transportation - We provide bus passes for clients to get to job interviews, clinics, public aid and social security appointments.                                                                 Back to Top

•  Furniture - We furnish, when available, donated beds, tables, chairs, etc. We also provide donated household items, when available.

• Toiletries & Personal Hygiene Items - We furnish soap, detergent, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors & shaving cream.

•  The Mother and Child Nutrition Program (MAC) - Located at our site, this federal food program mainly reaches out to pregnant/postpartum women and children under the age of six. This program now also serves seniors. More than half of the approximately 500 food packets distributed each month go to seniors.

•  Each Christmas season, Respond Now provides families with children with food and presents, including toys for over 1,000 children.

•  We provide counseling and referrals to other areas agencies.

Respond Now provides these services to over 2700 persons each month. Many people are referred by other human service agencies in our area because of our excellent reputation and our willingness to tackle emergency problems in a speedy and supportive manner.

Our normal funding sources are as follows: Individuals 30%, United Way 19%, South Suburban Council on Homelessness 11%, Foundations 10%, Federal Grants 9%, Churches & Synagogues 6%, Service Clubs 5%, Businesses 4% and Other 6%.
We have had 501(C) (3) status since January 22, 1971.
Our expenses for the last fiscal year ending June 30, 2006 were $427,183.
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