We are here for you. Let’s get you what you need.
Housing insecurity and homelessness pose enormous barriers to success in college. Many college students face the challenge of housing insecurity, struggling to balance the demands of their program while worrying about where to sleep at night. This leads to lower academic performance and lower graduation rates. No student should have to face these difficulties.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is here to assist you. We have experience working with students in unique situations and can provide you with guidance and support to ensure your success.
Mandi Starwalt
Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Student Services Building
(217) 581-6405
ajstarwalt@eiu.edu
There are many resources available to college students experiencing homelessness, but these resources can vary substantially from one community or institution to another. Below is a partial list of resources that students may be able to access. Overall, students experiencing homelessness are encouraged to tell the staff at their campus about their situation. Staff from multiple areas of the institution may be able to help, including the student services office, residential life, financial aid, faculty advisors, and others. Help can come in many forms, including from local nonprofits, government programs, and campus-specific resources.
Students who lack a place to stay during breaks should work with Housing & Dining Services for accommodations.
MLK Jr., University Union, Phone: 217-581-5111
Various forms of housing assistance are provided through state and county programs.
Getting food from the pantry is easy and stress-free. Just bring your Panther Card and we’ll take care of the rest!
Use the Find Food IL map to find places in your community offering free food or meals. You can also find stores and markets that accept SNAP/LINK or WIC coupons. Plus, see the DHS or WIC office nearest to you.
696 Castle Drive, Charleston, IL 61920, 217-500-3120
Services include shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, counseling, referrals, a 24-hour crisis line, children's services and public education. All services are free and confidential.
Hunger Hotline Phone: 1-800-359-2163
People from around the state can call for SNAP application assistance, case management, and food pantry referrals.
Coalition for People in Need
Phone: (217) 345-5099
Address: 990 W State St, Charleston, IL 61920
Provides financial assistance, guidance, referrals to other local agencies and help with spiritual needs to those living in the Charleston area.
Coles County Habitat for Humanity
Phone: (217) 348-7063
Address: 990 W State St, Charleston, IL 6190
Coles County Habitat for Humanity strives to enrich quality of life by building and preserving safe, affordable housing for qualified families and individuals through education, networking and community partnerships.
Catholic Charities of Coles, Douglas, and Edgar Counties
Phone: (217) 235-0420
Address: 4217 Dewitt Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938
Catholic Charities provides local services including clothing assistance, food pantry, housewares assistance, furniture assistance, MedAssist, and Medical Equipment Loan Program.
United Way of Coles County
Phone: (217) 234-8022
Address: 114 N. 16th St., Charleston, IL 61920
The goal of United Way is to help people in crises and to help people improve their lives and become stable and self-sufficient. We identify issues within the community and fund programs that address those issues.
Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry
Phone: (217) 348-3030
Address: 990 W. State St, Charleston, IL 61920
Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry provides three days worth of emergency food to residents of Coles County.
The Salvation Army of Coles County
Phone: (217) 235-5667
Address: 1300 Richmond Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938
The Salvation Army of Coles County provides a wide range of social services in Coles and surrounding counties, including food, clothing, utility, and housing assistance, transient and disaster services. Client Choice food pantry is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-4pm. Clients can receive food through the pantry every 30 days as needed.
Standing Stone Community Center
Phone: (217) 348-6085
Address: 375 N. 14th St, Charleston, IL 61920
Standing Stone Community Center is a nonprofit ministry featuring food, clothing, and furniture.
Matthew 25
Phone: (217) 790-5150
Address: PO Box 254, Charleston, IL 61920
https://www.matthew25charleston.org/
We are an organization that is supported by churches and agencies in the Charleston, IL area. We offer shelter for our neighbors that are struggling with poverty and its uncertainties. Matthew 25 leases one bedroom apartments and allows guests to stay in these apartments for up to six months while they work toward the goal of becoming self-sufficient.
The Haven
Phone: (217) 234-7237
Address: 1812 Western Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938
The Haven provides 30 days of shelter with extensions based on goal attainment. They also serve three meals a day to anyone that is in need of food. Meeting with each individual staying at their location minimally once a week to provide counseling, life coaching, and advocacy. Partners with other community agencies, classes and volunteer opportunities are provided for those staying at the shelter to develop their workforce skills and increase their self-sufficiency.
Blessing Food Pantry
Phone: (217) 235-0420
Address: 4217 DeWitt Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938
Pre-made meals, (mixes, canned items, etc.) meal preparation ingredients, fresh produce, meats, and frozen items (when available). We provide 2-3days of emergency food (designed to compliment larger pantries in area) once every 30 days. Anyone in Coles, Douglas, and Edgar counties who demonstrates need is eligible.
Mattoon Community Food Center
Phone: 217-258-8321
Address: 600 Moultrie Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938
Clients that meet the IL Department of Human Services income guidelines are eligible to receive food once every 30 days. Please apply in person or over the phone.
Mattoon Christian Church Food Pantry
Phone: 217-294-3485
Address: 221 N 19th st, Mattoon, IL 61938
Opens at 2:30 p.m.
Ashmore Food Pantry
Phone: 217-549-3493
Address: 212 N Oakland Road, Ashmore, IL 61912
Open: First and third Saturday of the month 9am-11am Can visit once a month Must be a resident of Ashmore, Kansas, or Westfield.
Student Services Building East Wing
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-6405
Fax: (217) 581-6422
finaid@eiu.edu
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F
