Monee Township Details December General Assistance Spending and Holiday Pantry Impact

Monee Township Board of Trustees Meeting | January 15, 2026

Article Summary: Monee Township officials reviewed the latest General Assistance figures, highlighting nearly $3,900 in aid distributed, and clarified food pantry statistics following a massive influx of use during the holiday season.

Monee Township Assistance Key Points:

• The township distributed a total of $3,895.58 in General and Emergency Assistance between mid-December and early January.

• While standard pantry intakes showed nine uses, the township actually assisted 300 residents for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

• The annual Senior Valentine’s Day Lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, featuring a drive-through format.

The Monee Township Board of Trustees on Thursday, January 15, 2026, reviewed the township’s latest social services data, breaking down thousands of dollars in emergency aid and clarifying the heavy impact the holiday season had on the local food pantry.

Supervisor Donna Dettbarn presented the General Assistance Report covering the period from December 15, 2025, through January 9, 2026. During that timeframe, the township processed four intakes and four applications. While there were no flat grants or other aid distributed, two applications were denied, three remain pending, and zero were terminated. Currently, there is one individual formally on General Assistance.

Financially, the township distributed a total of $456.00 for General Assistance (GA) and a significantly higher $3,439.58 for Emergency Assistance (EA). In total, the township expended $3,895.58 in combined GA and EA funds over the reporting period.

Dettbarn also provided necessary context for the township’s food pantry numbers. The official report listed nine standard pantry visits, but Dettbarn noted that this figure “may be misleading because 300 were for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.”

Looking ahead to community outreach events, Dettbarn announced details for the upcoming Senior Valentine’s Day Lunch. The event will be held as a drive-through on Wednesday, February 12. According to the supervisor, classic lasagna has been added to the event’s sandwich menu.