General and Emergency Assistance
If you would like to inquire about or apply for General or Emergency Assistance, call 618-351-8161 or email supermakanda@hotmail.com.
Assistance from other agencies may be available depending on the criteria. Some of them are listed below.
Food
Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefit formerly known as food stamps) at Illinois Department of Human Services https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=33698
Good Samaritan Ministries offers a food pantry. Call (618) 457-5794 for details.
University Baptist Church offers a food pantry at 700 South Oakland Street, Carbondale, IL. Call 618-457-0323 for details.
Victory Dream Center offers a food pantry at 607 East College Street, Carbondale, IL. Call (618) 351-8018 for details.
Rent or Mortgage
Apply for assistance with rent at Illinois Housing Development Authority https://www.ihda.org/about-ihda/illinois-rental-payment-program/
Apply for assistance with mortgage at Illinois Housing Development Authority https://www.ihda.org/haf/
Emergency housing assistance due to financial hardship caused by COVID-19 https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/
Medical
Apply for a medical card at Illinois Department of Human Services https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=33698
Mental Health
Mental health intake (at no/reduced fee with a medical card) is available at Centerstone, 2311 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, IL. Call 877-467-3123 for an initial appointment.
Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Apply for assistance with energy bills in the autumn of each year at Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council www.weeoc.org or call 618-965-3458.
Clothing
University Baptist Church offers a clothes closet at 700 South Oakland Avenue, Carbondale, IL. Call 618-457-0323 for details.
Free phone
A free smartphone and service is offered at www.assurancewireless.com.
Discounted internet service
The Affordable Connectivity Program is now in place through the FCC. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households obtaining service through participating providers. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Details and links to sign up at https://www.fcc.gov/acp
Free smoke alarms
Free smoke alarms can be requested at Fire Station #1, 5420 Old US Highway 51, Carbondale or call 618-549-0213. The volunteer firefighters will install the smoke alarms. You can also contact Debbie Stanley at 618-521-1454.
Fire Department
The Makanda Township Fire Department (MTFD) is a mostly volunteer organization. Our operations focus on fire protection, rescue, and first response services. We have two fire stations, Station #1 at 5420 Old US Highway 51 and Station #2 at 5975 Giant City Road, Carbondale.
One person is paid to be at Station #1, located at 5420 Old US Highway 51, Carbondale, Monday-Friday, so that someone may respond to an emergency as quickly as possible. All other members volunteer. If you are interested in applying to join MTFD, you may request an application at Station #1, 8 am – 4 pm, Monday-Friday or email makandafire@gmail.com. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
Training is held most Monday evenings at 6 pm, usually at Station #2.
Reflective address markers are available from MTFD for only $15. These signs increase our ability to find your address. You can attach them on your mailbox post or in your yard, whichever will help us find you faster in case of an emergency. You may stop by Station #1, email makandafire@gmail.com or call 681-549-0213 if you would like more information or to purchase a sign.
This is also a fundraiser for the fire department and open to anyone from any township who wishes to purchase an address marker.
Free smoke detectors are available at Station #1 to any household in Makanda Township.
Highway Department
In the coming days I will be adding information to this page. I will be posting jobs that are completed. These will be under a category of Work Orders-Completed. There will be easy access to budgets and to road improvement project plans.
Please report any missing traffic signs or other problems to Ed Hoke, the Highway Commissioner, by emailing me at: makandatownshiphc@gmail.com
In emergency, call 618-525-4278
Emergency Procedures
In case of emergency, call 911. Jackson County Emergency Management Services will dispatch the appropriate agencies.