Carol Rauschenberger for Elgin City Council

Effective November 1st, monthly SNAP benefits will not be loaded onto recipients benefit cards as a result of the federal government shut down.

What does that mean for us here in Illinois? That is a loss of $350 million a month in vital nutritional benefits to 1.9 million individuals (over 1 million households) in Illinois each month. Of those that receive SNAP benefits:

37% are older adults
45% of households have children
44% of households have a person with a disability

The stress this will inflict on our most vulnerable residents in our communities could be devastating. If you are able, please consider making cash donations to our local food pantries and other safety net agencies that will likely experience a significant increase in demand during this time .

In addition to the list below, Elgin Cooperative Ministries provides daily meals at different locations throughout Elgin.

https://www.elgincoopministry.com/soup-kettles

Let’s come together to help support our friends and neighbors during this time of need.

🚨🎉 WITH MUCH EXCITEMENT Our 5th Annual Autism Acceptance Celebration in collaboration with the Autism Hero Project Will Be BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER! 🎉🚨

As promised, we are pulling out ALL the bells and whistles to make this milestone year the BEST event yet! We told you we would be sharing more soon and so we are just going to start with this we're taking over both INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE of the Police Department for a few blocks! 🎊💙

✅ Over 25 resource vendors & community partners already signed on - Still more to come!
🎩✨ Mr. D's Magic and Illusion – 2 Spectacular Performances!
🫧 Glowby the Bubbler – Thousands of bubbles everywhere and back by popular demand!
🐐🐴 A 24x24 ft Large Petting Zoo featuring 20-25 animals, including goats, sheep, a little cow, donkey, llama, bunny, and chickens!
🎥 2 FREE Screenings of our Documentary – The Need for First Responders highlighting the critical need for autism training.
🎈 Moonwalk for endless fun!
🏎️ ATV Rides for an exciting adventure!
🚀 501st Midwest Garrison's Star Wars Troopers & Friends joining the fun!
🍿🍦 FREE popcorn & ice cream for all to enjoy!
🎨 Our amazing & popular face painter from Midwest Fun Factory, inc. also back by popular demand!
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Finder sign-ups available on-site!
🚓 FREE Traffic Stop Assimilation Scenarios for autistics & their families – Sign up now scanning the QR code or by clicking the link! https://forms.gle/edqAwouPXtD1g7gt8

And SO MUCH MORE… but we’ll tell you more later! 😉

🔹 Calling All Autism-Owned & Autism-Inclusive Businesses!
Are you an autistic entrepreneur or a business that employs autistic individuals? We want YOU to be a part of this incredible day! From jewelry makers to apparel designers and more—this is your time to shine!

💡 Sponsorship & Vendor Spaces Available!
We are still accepting sponsor vendors and resource partners to make this event even more impactful.

📩 Contact [email protected] or call 224-269-1074 to learn more!

🔥 SAVE THE DATE & SPREAD THE WORD! Let’s make this our biggest and best celebration yet! 💙💛