(SPRINGFIELD) The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is still accepting applications for all households. While the program offers financial assistance for utility bills to low-income families, other discounts are also available, even if someone is not enrolled in LIHEAP. Households with incomes lower than double the federal poverty level are eligible for the program. For more information in Richland, Jasper, Crawford, Lawrence, Clark, Cumberland Counties served by ERBA, contact the local county ERBA office. For those in Clay, Effingham, and other counties go to the cefseoc.org website.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois EPA is inviting fifth and sixth grade writers and artists from around the state to participate in this year’s Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest. The 2025 theme is “How Can You Slash Your Trash?” invites students to think creatively about how to reduce the amount of waste they produce. The students whose works are chosen for the exhibit will receive a certificate and ribbon. The top twelve (12) entries will be given special recognition and their works will be displayed on the state’s epa.illinois.gov website.
(SPRINGFIELD) With the Illinois Deer Donation program, Hunters Feeding Illinois, back for a third year, the program connects hunters, meat processors, and food pantries all together to support access to vension meat for statewide residents and families in need. The expanded partnership this year now covers 32 Illinois counties as hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost, although monetary donations to cover the processing cost are welcome. While the program continues in the original counties of Jasper, Crawford, Clark, Cumberland, Effingham, Clay, and ten (10) others to the north and west, the newly added counties this year includes White, Hamilton, Saline, and thirteen (13) others to the south. Hunters & others can learn more online at the extension.illinois.edu/food website.