Dear Orland Township Resident,
As we wash away the long winter’s dirt and grime, open the windows, and welcome back the milder temperatures our long lost friend the sun brings, all of us at Orland Township wish you and yours the very best in this season of rebirth and renewal.
The optimism that spring brings with it for all the possibilities in the months ahead also finds me looking back with pride on everything the dedicated Township staff and volunteers have accomplished recently and all that we have to which we are looking forward.
This past year I kicked off the Supervisor’s Supper Club, which allows older adult residents to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, good conversation and the fellowship of their contemporaries. Beyond the social component, we also use our dinners to promote the Township Food Pantry and to collect food and monetary donations to support its work. Please sign up to join us if you have not already done so. More information can be found on page 4.
Since last April, the Orland Township Food Pantry has served an average of 278 households per month. A total of 617,840 pounds of food has been distributed thanks to contributions from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Feeding America Partners, including local Aldi stores, Costco, GCFD Food Rescue, Jewel Foods, Target, Trader Joe’s, Caputo’s, Whole Foods, Bread Smith, Andy’s, Orland Park Bakery, Panera, and McDonald’s.
In addition, community members donate food, money and time generously throughout the year to ensure we have a healthy variety of fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery goods, and shelf-stable foods to help our friends and neighbors in need. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The existence of the Food Pantry makes it clear that even in a place like Orland Township that boasts a vibrant business community and enjoys many blessings, there are still citizens who hit a rough patch and need a little extra help to make it through. Orland Township is there for them and in the last fiscal year we processed more than two times the number of applications (424) for emergency assistance, help with utility bills, and senior and disabled support grants. We fielded more than 1,750 inquiries seeking assistance and referrals to other community resources. Thanks to the Township staff’s hard work, we were recognized as a 2022 leader in the completion of Nicor Sharing applications, which resulted in more than $40,000 in grant money from the utility to help residents pay for the cost of rising natural gas prices.
Volunteers are crucial to Orland Township’s ability to deliver such extensive services and supports. Whether it is everyday donations, senior events or the annual Holiday Program, our volunteers are always there with a helping hand or…or two…or four as they often bring a friend along. People helping people is one of the reasons our community is such a great place to live, work and raise a family and it’s why I am greatly looking forward to this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. To find out about opportunities to get involved and give back, please visit orlandtownship.org/volunteer.
Looking ahead in the near term to all the graduation ceremonies for pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools, and longer term to the better future we are striving to build for our children, I am proud to announce that once again the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation will be awarding college scholarships. Every year we are astounded by the talent, commitment and community engagement recipients demonstrate throughout their high school years. The generosity of private donors, local businesses and community members participating in special fundraising events throughout the year makes it all possible and is another reminder of the blessing it is to live in Orland Township.
No doubt you can tell that I take a lot of pride in how hard the Township staff and our dedicated volunteers work on behalf of residents. Another factor that contributes to our success is that everyone at the Township shares a commitment to never resting on our laurels. We’re always looking for ways to serve you better and more efficiently. We’re not afraid to try new things or change what is not working as well as it should. Most importantly, we’re always glad to hear your thoughts and suggestions so please stay in touch!
We’re your Township, we’re working for you and we’re looking forward to providing our community with a sensational spring filled with worthwhile events, activities, trips, classes and essential services.
Sincerely,
Paul O’Grady