Demand for aid has risen in most townships. The Fall Creek Township awarded $1,500 in assistance in February 2007, but this February they awarded over $5,000.

“It could be that this year was a colder winter, and it was harder for people to keep their houses warm,” said Fall Creek Township Trustee Fred Gaskill. “But it’s probably a combination of things, like the escalating costs for food and utilities, along with the loss of jobs.”

As in Anderson Township, Gaskill has seen a lot of people coming in for the first time.

The state-funded township trustees provide short-term help with housing, food, medical, dental, rent, utilities, clothing, non-food items and other basic necessities.

In order to receive aid from a township trustee’s office, an applicant must schedule an appointment and complete a detailed application provided by the state — though not everyone is eligible to receive aid. For example, people who already receive food stamps are ineligible to receive food assistance from the trustee’s office. 

But a person who can’t get help from the trustee’s office or a social-service organization isn’t necessarily out of luck.

“We’ve all pitched in out of our own pockets,” said Crabtree. “If someone is in need but doesn’t qualify for aid for one reason or another, we’ve helped them pay for prescriptions, rent or whatever they may need. I’ve never seen so many people in need in this community before.”