It's no secret that as the economy continues to remain sluggish, people are finding themselves in need of some assistance. Sometimes that assistance is short term and sometimes it's long term. For those needing short term assistance, a program like Walk-In Ministry may be the temporary band-aid needed.

Walk-In Ministry is a Glen Ellyn organization supported by 18 local churches. It was formed in 1994 after several churches were noticing an increase in people seeking some kind of assistance. To address the increase in need, the Glen Ellyn Council of Clergy opted to organize Walk-In Ministry. Each of the 18 churches contribute operating funds for the ministry, which is based at First Church of Glen Ellyn.

The assistance provided by Walk-In Ministry varies, depending on the need. The ministry provides vouchers for gasoline and food, offers train tickets, transportation for people needing to get to work, will pay a portion of someone's rent, help pay utility bills and help purchase prescription medication.

"What we do is we're able to help out in emergency situations," said Jack Breeser, president of the ministry's board of directors.

The ministry is only open from 10 am- noon Monday-Friday. Despite its limited operation, the volunteers staffing the office remain busy. On Thursday, volunteers fielded telephone calls from people seeking assistance and handled multiple walk-ins seeking assistance in a variety of matters, including gasoline vouchers and food vouchers.

Breeser said because the ministry's funds are limited they have to limit the amount of assistance they provide. He said the ministry cannot afford to pay someone's full rent, which in the Glen Ellyn area can be nearly $1,000 per month. However, Breeser said the ministry can contribute to someone's rent. He said current funds allow them to provide about $150 toward someone's rent. Rent assistance can only be received once per year, he said.

The same is true for those seeking assistance in paying for utilities. Breeser said right now they can provide about $150 in assistance. He said the trouble is, most of the people seeking help from the ministry have allowed their bills to pile up and owe far more than $150.

"We look at it as being there for emergencies. If people need long term help, there's the county and other organizations that can provide those services," Breeser said. "We'd really love to do more, but we can't, so we refer the people to those agencies which can provide greater assistance."

Breeser said they do not dispense cash to those needing assistance. He said the ministry dispenses checks to the creditors.

Lucy McGinn, a volunteer with Walk-In Ministry, said the staff wants to be able to help anyone seeking assistance, but sometimes they run short out of funds. She said earlier this month they ran out of gasoline vouchers. Each voucher provides $20 worth of gasoline.

"We ran out and could no longer help anybody out who needed gasoline," she said.

Breeser said the organization typically keeps 50 gasoline vouchers on hand.

People receiving assistance from Walk-In Ministry must meet several criteria, including being a member, or regular attendee of a Glen Ellyn church, reside in Glen Ellyn and/ or being a member of DuPage PADS, an agency that addresses homelessness in the county.

"Occasionally we'll help someone who falls outside of those lines though. If someone is stranded and needs a bus ticket, or something like that, we'll help out if we can," he said.

Breeser said Walk-In Ministry does not solicit donations, but relies upon the churches. However, he said that does not mean that an individual or civic organization cannot contribute to Walk-In Ministry. Contributions to Walk-In Ministry can be sent to FirstChurch of Glen Ellyn, 424 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Ill. 60137.