General Resources
Springfield Mass Transit District and Access Sangamon
The Springfield Mass Transit District provides free or reduced fare programs for eligible residents with disabilities and seniors. You must meet eligibility requirements and enroll to use the Benefit Access, Access Sangamon or Reduced Fare ID programs. For the latest information, visit www.smtd.org/news.
- Benefit Access allows program members to ride any fixed-route bus free of charge. If you do not qualify for Benefit Access, you may still be eligible for a reduced fare ID. Apply for the Benefit Access program online on the Illinois Department on Aging’s website.
- The Reduced Fare ID allows people with disabilities and seniors to ride any fixed-route bus for just under half the price of a normal fare.
- Access Sangamon provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the SMTD fixed-route bus service. Individuals with disabilities must apply to become eligible to use the service.
Springfield Office of Community Relations Resources
The Springfield Office of Community Relations provides information on where to find help with homelessness, rental and utility assistance, micro-pantries and more.
You can also contact the Springfield Office of Community Relations at (217) 789.2270 or Community.Relations@springfield.il.us
Springfield Park District – Camp L.E.A.P.
The Springfield Park District’s Camp L.E.A.P. ( Leisure Education and Adaptive Programming) offers adaptive recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.
Springfield-Area Micropantries
The micropantries in Springfield and its surrounding communities in Sangamon County operate independently and allow people to take what they need and leave what they can.
The City of Springfield provides a a list of micropantries in Springfield and the surrounding area.
The St. Louis Dental Center offers comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities and other special healthcare needs. It is a partnership of A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Affinia Healthcare.
The center’s special care suites include a wheelchair lift. The center accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans. Discounts are available to uninsured patients.
St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Moline
St. Mary’s Food Pantry provides food to anyone living below 12th Avenue in Moline and between 53rd Street in Moline and 39th Street in Rock Island. Active members of St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Ann’s in Moline can also pick up food regardless of their address. Residents in the service area can pick up food once a month by providing a photo ID (such as a driver’s license) or a piece of mail with a current address.
St. Mary’s Food Pantry is at 412 10th St., in Moline. It is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For questions, please call (309) 764-1562.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Rock Island
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is at 2502 29th Avenue in Rock Island. The pantry is open on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is provided by volunteers from St. Pius X Church in Rock Island. For more information, please call (309) 793-7373.
Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri
BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.
The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).
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STRIVE for Independence offers driver evaluations and training for all ages, disabilities and medical conditions for the Chicagoland area. STRIVE for Independence serves clients with a wide variety of driver rehabilitation needs. Their team of specialists includes occupational therapists, certified driver rehabilitation specialists and state of Illinois certified driving instructors (CDI) for adults and teenagers.
Visit the STRIVE for Independence website for more details.