An emergency food pantry, social worker appointments and business loans have all been made available to Evanston residents as city officials work to ease the burden of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The efforts are part of a multi-pronged approach local officials hope will give residents needed local resources beyond what has been made available through state or federal programs.
At Evanston Public Library, Interim Director Tim Longo encouraged residents to sign up online for temporary library cards to access digital books, movies, music and other resources while the buildings are closed.
“We’re still open. Our physical doors are shut but we’re still trying to be open to serve our mission and vision to our residents as best we can,” Longo said.
Librarians and other staff are fielding calls from residents in search of food, financial help and small business assistance, as well as other library resources, Longo said.
That includes the library system’s social worker, Christina Mendez, who is available for those struggling with mental health issues during the emergency shelter-in-place order from the state and city, Longo said.
“She can’t make in-person appointments with clients right now, but Christina is still available For Evanston residents” by phone or email, Longo said. Her services are free.
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Meanwhile Evanston city staff have worked to secure nearly 100 hotel rooms for homeless residents, people needing to isolate away from a family member or housemate who tested positive for COVID-19, and first responders who need to stay closer to their job, said Economic Development Director Paul Zalmazak.
Another 50 rooms are on reserve for first responders if demand increases, Zalmazak said.
While city officials are applying to FEMA for reimbursement of the hotel costs — about $69 to $79 per night — they don’t expect the federal government to pick up the entire tab, Zalmazak said.
For those whose food budget has grown tight, both Longo and Zalmazak noted Evanston’s new emergency food pantry.
Hosted at James Park, the pantry will offer residents “free, prepackaged boxes of food, including non-perishable items, produce, and protein,” according to the city of Evanston website. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The pantry runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through the end of May, according to the website.
Meanwhile, nonprofit organizations can apply for a boost with Evanston Community Foundation, which is launching its first ever Operating Grants Program. The grants will include up to $25,000 for groups having difficulty paying rent or mortgage and other occupancy costs, or making payroll in April and May, according to a news release.
The grants will focus on groups “that are at a high risk of closure due to the inability to meet financial obligations, or of widespread staff reductions likely to impair the organization’s ability to carry out its mission,” according to the release.
“Part of our mission is to sustain a thriving nonprofit community. These operating grants are providing Evanston organizations with the support they need now to withstand the significant financial burdens of this pandemic,” said Monique Jones, president and CEO, in the release.
Meanwhile, Evanston aldermen last week unanimously approved moving $100,000 marked for workforce development to the LEND Small Business Emergency Loan Program.
The program would issue micro-loans up to $5,000 “to allow businesses to survive until more substantial loans and grants are made available.”