Hanover Township renovations spurred by growing need for help

With more people than ever seeking help from Hanover Township, much-needed renovations are under way at the Astor Avenue Community Center.

The most significant work affects the township’s food pantry, and includes construction of a garage for additional storage and the implementation of a new system that will allow clients to “shop” for their food instead of having it packed for them.

“It’s very difficult for people who are struggling to come in, and the current setup can make it feel like charity,” Director of Welfare Services Mary Jo Imperato said. “We’re hoping to provide a more normal, positive experience.”

The number of people turning to the food pantry has skyrocketed in recent months.

The pantry served about 500 families each month in spring 2010. Today, it serves between 850 and 1,000 families a month. In August alone, the food pantry received 125 applications from new families, Imperato said.

Officials have seen a similar trend with the township’s welfare services department, which is receiving about 120 calls per week and 500 walk-ins per month from people seeking emergency financial assistance and other services. That’s a significant jump from a couple years ago, Imperato said.

Construction began last week on renovations aimed at better serving the influx of people. The Hanover Park facility, built more than 60 years ago at 7431 Astor Avenue, is being reconfigured to create more office space for various agencies and separate waiting areas for the food pantry and welfare services clients.

Room also is being added for a walk-in freezer, which the township can’t afford right now but officials hope to one day purchase.

Of the project’s $392,000 budget, Community Development Block Grants cover $275,000 and the township’s capital fund will pay the remainder, Hanover Township Community Relations Coordinator Tom Kuttenberg said.

The Hanover Park village board last week agreed to waive more than $5,000 in permit fees for the project, which is expected to wrap up in January.

Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire said he hopes the changes will help lessen the stigma for the families seeking assistance, most of whom have fallen onto hard times only recently.

“Many people have the perception that these are lazy and no good bums, but that’s atypical,” McGuire said. “These are often people who were employed, productive members of society until a couple paychecks ago.”

Hanover Township serves more than 90,000 Cook County residents from parts of Streamwood, Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. For more information, visit hanover-township.org or call (630) 837-0301.