The need for rent and utility assistance continues to rise as the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupts employment and day to day operations. In response to the increase in requests, the DeKalb Salvation Army is working to fill the gap for local residents. In April 2020, the Salvation Army applied for a DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Their request was reviewed and a short time later, they were awarded with funding in the amount of $12,500.

With additional dollars in hand, the Salvation Army went to work providing emergency rent and utility assistance to 52 families during the first four weeks of their expanded program. Thanks to a matching grant from IDEAL Industries, the Salvation Army was able to fund the following four weeks of increased assistance. Additional support received from local donors was also used for this purpose. Once this funding was depleted, the Salvation Army dropped back to their budgeted operational dollars of $1,000 per week for the emergency assistance program. At the time of this supplied report, they had provided $21,700 for emergency assistance in just four weeks’ time.

Ongoing needs include support for food costs and paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues). Due to challenges in supply, such as imposed quantity limits and scarce supplies, the cost for goods has increased immensely. The Salvation Army continues to purchase product from local stores, restaurants, markets, and food service distributors. A few local organizations provide product for free including the DeKalb County Community Gardens and Sycamore School District #427.

The Salvation Army is dedicated to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Thank you to the many donors whose gifts make grants like these possible! And thank you to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund for the multiple grants that boosted the amount we were able to give in response to local needs. 

Funding for this grant program is made possible by the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund, a new component pass through Fund created in collaboration with various local funding partners. The Fund’s purpose is to be a depository for contributions intended to respond to the effects of COVID-19 in DeKalb County by distributing grants that address preparedness, response, recovery, and/or rebuilding efforts.