Coalition for People in Need -CPN

05/30/2026

Hello, families! During the month of June, Charleston CUSD1 will be offering free meal opportunities for children 18 and under at Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Charleston Middle School on Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. Please enter the front doors of each school to receive the meals.

05/30/2026

Are you struggling with your Ameren bills? Are you over the income guidelines for LIHEAP? Have you heard about Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends? It is a match program offered by the Energy Assistance Foundation. Check your income below. Our Summer Program starts June 1 and EAF has decided to not only match your payments from the last 90 days, up to $200, it will pay 2.5 times what you did! So, if you pay $200, we will match it with $500! The income guidelines are listed below (and if you are under the income guidelines for LIHEAP and have not applied since October1, 2025, we still have funds and will have well into the summer!). Call your local office in the pinned post above for more information about WNCF or LIHEAP!

05/27/2026

05/06/2026

Did you lose your SNAP benefits because of the new federal SNAP work requirements?

The federal government made changes to SNAP and some customers lost benefits on May 1, 2026, if they weren’t meeting or exempt from new work requirements.

See if you can file an exemption: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN

Customers can regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program. Visit: SNAPWorkRequirements.illinois.gov

04/14/2026

Support our friends at St. Vincent DePaul today by eating at Mi Casa Es Tu Casa. The donation will be all day, not just 2-9 pm. They do a lot for the community, and this is a tasty way to help them further that!

02/06/2026

Sarah Bush Lincoln is hosting in-person OPEN INTERVIEWS for all positions. If you are looking for a career in healthcare plan to attend, 7 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday, February 10. Interviews take place in Prairie Pavilion 1, 1005 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, Human Resources, Suite 102.

■ No appointment necessary
■ Bring your resume

www.sarahbush.org/careers

01/26/2026

Coalition for People in Need follows the weather closings for Charleston School District. We will be closed today for the safety of everyone.

Important Weather Update Due to this weekend's winter storm and the continued blowing and drifting snow, Charleston CUSD #1 will have an e Learning Day on Monday, January 26, 2026. Students should follow their school's e learning schedule and check for instructions from their teachers. All extracurricular activities are canceled for Monday, including practices, games, meetings, and events. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

12/15/2025

For the safety of our volunteers and clients, we will be closed today. Stay warm and we will see you tomorrow!

11/26/2025

Coat drive and employments opportunity from the Salvation Army!

The Salvation Army’s new coat drive distribution is TODAY, 10:00 – 3:00. Shoppers just need to bring ID and proof of Coles or Cumberland County residency, then fill out a short form. No income questions. One coat per person, but shoppers may select one for each member of their household, including adults. Enter through business office doors, not the thrift store.



Employment Opportunity:



The Salvation Army is looking for an ESS Caseworker in Mattoon. Details on their page or Indeed.

11/06/2025

Since 2001, Soup Stop volunteers have been serving the Charleston community through providing nutritious meals to anyone who is hungry. Through a partnership with WB's Pub and Grub, we are able to provide people with a free hot meal, along with a to-go lunch consisting of a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, a fruit, a salted snack and a bag of cookies.