Bloom's Angels Fund - Established in 2006
Every year at Herrick we have several students who live in families that are struggling financially. We do not want the education of these students, and their life at Herrick, to be impacted by the current financial situation of their family. In 2006, Ms. Gail Pistello (Herrick P.E. teacher) and Mr. Gross co-founded Bloom's Angels. Bloom's Angels is a faculty fund that was created to help needy Herrick families. This fund is named after Mrs. Barb Blumenschein who was a former Herrick English teacher. Mrs. Blumenschein passed away of cancer several years ago.
The students we focus on the most are on the free or reduced lunch program. In the past we have helped students in the following ways:
• Free School Supplies, Book Bags and Calculators
• Free P.E Uniforms
• Gloves, Hats, Candy and Gift Cards at Christmas
• Outfits to wear for our 8th Grade Promotion Night
• Gift cards for victims of a flood or fire
To date we have raised and given back over $17,000 to our needy students and their families! Thank you to all those who have donated to the Bloom's Angels Fund - especially the Herrick PTA and the Blumenschein family. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. If you would like additional information, request assistance or wish to make a donation, please contact Gail Pistello gpistello@dg58.org or Steve Gross sgross@dg58.org or by phone at 630-719-5810.
** Please note that Bloom's Angels is NOT a charity. Donations are NOT tax deductible.**
Here are some other phone numbers and/or websites for financial assistance.
• Housing/Homeless Assistance - DuPage PADS. This organization strives to end homelessness in our community. They offer a number of support services above and beyond just a pad on the floor. Please call 630-682-3846 for more information. Here is their website. DuPage Pads
• For Parent/Adults - Access DuPage. Access DuPage is a collaborative effort by thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations in DuPage County to provide access to medical services to the county’s low-income, medically uninsured residents. The phone number is (630) 510-8720. Here is the website.
Access DuPage
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - This program assists low income households by offsetting the rising cost of home energy through direct financial assistance, energy counseling, outreach and education. For more information, please call 630-407-6500 or 1-800-942-9412. Here is the website. ILHEAP
• Catholic Charities - This organization runs a number of great programs. Their office is in Lombard and the phone number is 630-495-8008. Here is their website - Catholic Charities. I have also listed below a link for their emergency services.
Emergency Services - they provide food and travel vouchers, clothing and furniture vouchers, financial assistance for prescription medications, rent/mortgage assistance; and information/referral to other community resources.
• People's Resource Center - Whether you need immediate assistance to meet your basic needs, or are seeking education and personal growth to make a better life for yourself and your family, People's Resource Center is here for you. They have several locations including one in Westmont. They offer the following programs; food pantry, emergency rent/mortgage assistance, clothes closet, financial assistance/social services, job assistance, computers, adult learning and literacy, art program (free art classes for children and adults) as well as additional community resources. Their phone number is 630-682-5402. Here is their website. People's Resource Center
• Downers Grove FISH Pantry - FISH is the name of an all volunteer ecumenical organization of Christian lay people and friends who are ministering to the material needs of our community. They are located less than a block away from Herrick - 4340 Prince Street. Here is their website. FISH Pantry
• Metropolitan Family Services - This organization has a number of programs designed to help economically challenged families to improve their employment and financial situation. The services are broken down into the following categories: Economic Stability, Education, Emotional Wellness and Empowerment. For more information, please call the Woodridge office 630-784-4979. Here is their website. Metropolitan Family Services
• Poised For Success - This organization promotes economic self-sufficiency in women by providing business clothing and referrals for career training to women on financial assistance. They are located in Lombard at 312 S. Westmore/Meyers Rd.. The phone number is 630-691-1455. Here is their website. Poised For Success
• Internet Essentials - this brings affordable home internet to students and their families. Please call Comcast at 1-855-8-internet (1-855-846-8376). You may also visit InternetEssentials.com.
• Need Furniture? Try Sharing Connections - This organization provides gently used furniture and household items such as beds, tables, chairs and sofas. Sharing Connections also has items for babies, such as cribs, strollers and high chairs - and also provides families with the much needed clothing items. They are located at 5222 Chase Avenue in Downers Grove. Phone number is 630-971-9594. Here is their website. Sharing Connections
• Downers Grove Township Financial Assistance Programs - The DG Township has a number of great services to help families in financial need including support from the Salvation Army. The Downers Grove Township phone number for financial assistance is 630-719-6610. Here is their website -
DG Township Financial Assistance Programs
The students we focus on the most are on the free or reduced lunch program. In the past we have helped students in the following ways:
• Free School Supplies, Book Bags and Calculators
• Free P.E Uniforms
• Gloves, Hats, Candy and Gift Cards at Christmas
• Outfits to wear for our 8th Grade Promotion Night
• Gift cards for victims of a flood or fire
To date we have raised and given back over $17,000 to our needy students and their families! Thank you to all those who have donated to the Bloom's Angels Fund - especially the Herrick PTA and the Blumenschein family. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. If you would like additional information, request assistance or wish to make a donation, please contact Gail Pistello gpistello@dg58.org or Steve Gross sgross@dg58.org or by phone at 630-719-5810.
** Please note that Bloom's Angels is NOT a charity. Donations are NOT tax deductible.**
Here are some other phone numbers and/or websites for financial assistance.
• Housing/Homeless Assistance - DuPage PADS. This organization strives to end homelessness in our community. They offer a number of support services above and beyond just a pad on the floor. Please call 630-682-3846 for more information. Here is their website. DuPage Pads
• For Parent/Adults - Access DuPage. Access DuPage is a collaborative effort by thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations in DuPage County to provide access to medical services to the county’s low-income, medically uninsured residents. The phone number is (630) 510-8720. Here is the website.
Access DuPage
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - This program assists low income households by offsetting the rising cost of home energy through direct financial assistance, energy counseling, outreach and education. For more information, please call 630-407-6500 or 1-800-942-9412. Here is the website. ILHEAP
• Catholic Charities - This organization runs a number of great programs. Their office is in Lombard and the phone number is 630-495-8008. Here is their website - Catholic Charities. I have also listed below a link for their emergency services.
Emergency Services - they provide food and travel vouchers, clothing and furniture vouchers, financial assistance for prescription medications, rent/mortgage assistance; and information/referral to other community resources.
• People's Resource Center - Whether you need immediate assistance to meet your basic needs, or are seeking education and personal growth to make a better life for yourself and your family, People's Resource Center is here for you. They have several locations including one in Westmont. They offer the following programs; food pantry, emergency rent/mortgage assistance, clothes closet, financial assistance/social services, job assistance, computers, adult learning and literacy, art program (free art classes for children and adults) as well as additional community resources. Their phone number is 630-682-5402. Here is their website. People's Resource Center
• Downers Grove FISH Pantry - FISH is the name of an all volunteer ecumenical organization of Christian lay people and friends who are ministering to the material needs of our community. They are located less than a block away from Herrick - 4340 Prince Street. Here is their website. FISH Pantry
• Metropolitan Family Services - This organization has a number of programs designed to help economically challenged families to improve their employment and financial situation. The services are broken down into the following categories: Economic Stability, Education, Emotional Wellness and Empowerment. For more information, please call the Woodridge office 630-784-4979. Here is their website. Metropolitan Family Services
• Poised For Success - This organization promotes economic self-sufficiency in women by providing business clothing and referrals for career training to women on financial assistance. They are located in Lombard at 312 S. Westmore/Meyers Rd.. The phone number is 630-691-1455. Here is their website. Poised For Success
• Internet Essentials - this brings affordable home internet to students and their families. Please call Comcast at 1-855-8-internet (1-855-846-8376). You may also visit InternetEssentials.com.
• Need Furniture? Try Sharing Connections - This organization provides gently used furniture and household items such as beds, tables, chairs and sofas. Sharing Connections also has items for babies, such as cribs, strollers and high chairs - and also provides families with the much needed clothing items. They are located at 5222 Chase Avenue in Downers Grove. Phone number is 630-971-9594. Here is their website. Sharing Connections
• Downers Grove Township Financial Assistance Programs - The DG Township has a number of great services to help families in financial need including support from the Salvation Army. The Downers Grove Township phone number for financial assistance is 630-719-6610. Here is their website -
DG Township Financial Assistance Programs