Respond Now

About Us
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History

In 1969, the local Ministerial Association recognized a growing need with the South Suburban community. Many people needed help beyond what their own resources or government programs were able to provide. From this need, Respond Now was born. Our initial help came directly from congregations within the Ministerial Association. People in need of food help contacted Respond Now. One of a group of volunteers was contacted. That person put together a bag of food from her own pantry shelves or purchased food to stock a bag. From those humble beginning grew Respond Now.
Respond Now files IRS Form 990. It is a 501(c)(03) public charity. Your gifts of food, money, clothes or furniture are fully tax-deductible.

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The Board of Directors determines all policies and evalutes the operation and effectiveness of Respond Now for the guidance of the staff, volunteers, and committees. This effectiveness assessment occurs every two months and results in plans being made for future actions by the staff to guarantee the mission of the organization. This assessment is conducted based on written reports and data provided to the board and used to determine the direction of the organization.

Click here to view our Annual Report for 2009-2010.

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On September 19, 2008, The Greater Chicago Food Depository presented their Quality Performance Award to Respond Now!
Respond Now's major source of food is the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
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COMMUNITY GARDEN
We planted our garden October 2, 2008
On October 2, 2008 we broke ground on a community garden located on city-owned land next door to our office on Emerald Avenue. The only thing growing there was broken glass. We have been in contact with the University of Illinois Extension and have received enthusiastic support on this project from several Master Gardeners at the Extension. They helped plan the garden, assisted with material for the raised beds, and generally oversaw the whole project One has even arranged for a plumber to put a garden hose spigot on the side of our building. We really appreciate the expert help! The garden will be a mix of flowers and vegetables. Plots will be offered to some of our local clients so they can grow fresh produce.

Click here to see pictures

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Our People
Carl Wolf, Executive Director
Amy Weber, Associate Director
Anita Alvarado, Assistant Director
all our energetic volunteers
all our beneficent donors

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Our Board of Directors

Name Title	Address	Occupation/Affiliations	On Board Since
John Rynne President	Crete, IL	Retired oil company executive Fund raising & Intake volunteer - Respond Now	2002
Jack Coogan Secretary	Olympia Fields, IL	Retired steel company executive Director, Wisconsin Steel Management Retirees Association	1995
John R. Roach Treasurer	Flossmoor, IL	Self employed owner - Accounting Services	2001
Edward G. Nicholson, D.O.	Flossmoor, IL	Retired physician	2007
Sherry Sissac	Olympia Fields, IL	Communications Management Consultant	2008
Lynn Lazarus	Flossmoor, IL	National Council of Jewish Women	2010
Betty Wisnasky	Tinley Park, IL	Chairperson, Respond Now Christmas Program Social Action Ministries Soup Kitchen Volunteer, South Suburban PADS	2005
Robert C. Waite	Olympia Fields, IL	President, Lynxx International, LLC	2005
Francis W. Pellettiere	Homer Glen, IL	President, MTD Group	2008
Deadra Woods Stokes	Olympia Fields, IL	Attorney, Deadra Woods Stokes & Associates, PC	2010
McKenley Wilson III	Dolton, IL	Senior Vice President-Investment Officer Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

The board of directors does not receive any compensation for their services and are strictly volunteers.

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Carl Wolf has been the Executive Director of Respond Now since June 2006. He has worked in social services since 1998. His experience includes working with migrant farm workers in job training and education services. He has also worked in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program in Gary, IN. He received his Masters Degree in Social Work from Indiana University Northwest in 2005. He is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish.

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Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 215, Chicago Heights, IL 60412
Walk-in Location: 1439 Emerald Street, Chicago Heights, IL View MAP
Walk-in Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays -10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Office Phones (24 hours a day): Voice 708.755.4357
Fax 708.755.4381
Sauk Village Pantry: 21701 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Village; walk in Tuesday 10am to 2pm

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FISCAL 2010 STATISTICS

Client Families Aided 16,600
Rent/ Utility Assistance $310,121
Client Emergency Shelter $12,259
Number of Prescriptions 2754
Cost of Prescriptions $51,880
Client Transportation $3,900
Client Miscellaneous Expense $9,662
Bags of Food Disbursed 16,568
Value of Food Disbursed $248,520

Total income FY 2010 $589,009
Total Program expenses $597,177
Total management & general $49,860
Total fund raising $24,801

Our clothing room is open to our clients to select items needed for their families. Approximately 3500 clients avail themselves of this service.

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