Hanover Township offers so much more

I appreciate when our local newspaper highlights the much-needed programs and services Hanover Township provides to the community. However, I want to take a moment to offer the full scope of services that are provided through the township's general assistance fund for more than 101,000 of our residents.

In addition to the financial assistance programs that all townships provide, Hanover also processes applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that helps qualifying households pay for home energy services. In FY 2016, township personnel submitted over 400 applications for residents. Staff also provide intake for a variety of other local, state and federal assistance programs.

In addition, staff from the general assistance fund coordinate the 35 volunteers who stock the shelves and assist residents in the Food Pantry. In FY16, the pantry served on average 784 visits per month. Unlike many community food pantries, the Hanover Township Food Pantry is open six days a week.

Finally, the column leaves out the Back-to-School Backpack distribution the township provides annually in August, and the Toy Drive and Sponsor-a-Family programs conducted every December. Together, the township and our partners, in FY16 were able to hand out more than 1,200 backpacks to township youth with supplies they needed to succeed in the classroom.

In December 2016, 710 families and 1,841 youths benefited from our holiday programs. Countless hours throughout the year go into the planning and preparations for holding an event of this size - none of which would be possible without the staff, supported through the general assistance fund.

Hanover Township elected officials take seriously the responsibility of efficiently utilizing taxpayer money. I would encourage any member of the media or resident of the township to visit our offices and learn more about the programs and services we provide.

Brian P. McGuire

Hanover Township Supervisor