Serving Van Buren Township, Monroe County, Indiana

The Food Pantry is open! Our hours are Wednesdays from 1-3 and Fridays from 1-5. See the Food Pantry page for more details.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE THE TOWNSHIP’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of Van Buren Township, Monroe County, Indiana that the Board of the Van Buren Trustee will meet on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 352 S Fieldstone Blvd in the Township Conference Room in the Township Building at 5:30 pm to consider the adoption of the Township’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have the right to comment. The Capital Improvement Plan as adopted will be referred to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).

Rita Barrow, Trustee

Van Buren Township

The township trustee is an elected official charged with providing temporary emergency assistance to Van Buren Township residents who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship. The trustee helps with basic necessities such as rent, utilities, food, and some medical care.

Township Trustee

Rita Barrow

Do you know what Trustees do?

Give you a bus ticket to get home
Project Life Saver Program in all townships
Resolve fence disputes
Maintain cemeteries in the county
Help pay rent and utilities
Free burials
Rural transit passes
Workfare
Free insulin to those who can't afford it
They listen, care, and help

Cemeteries We Manage

There are nine cemeteries within Van Buren Township. The Trustee’s office owns and manages the following two.

Koontz Cemetery
Harmony Cemetery

Types of Assistance

Utilities - To prevent loss of service, the trustee will provide vouchers for essential utilities such as water, gas and electric. The trustee may also pay for wood, coal, propane or fuel oil.

Medical - Expenses the trustee may assist with include: prescriptions, insulin and emergency dental care.

Transportation - Gas or bus fare may be provided medical purposes. Traveler's aid may be provided to non-residents seeking to return to their legal residence.

Funerals - The trustee may provide mortuary and burial expenses if no other resources are available.

Application Process - Individuals are given an application along with a list of documents to bring to an interview with a caseworker. Requests for assistance will be decided within three (3) working days. If the applicant qualifies, the trustee will issue a voucher for the approved assistance. Workfare will be assigned to repay the amount of assistance unless the person is working full-time, disabled or without childcare. In accordance with Indiana law, the trustee adheres to Township Assistance Guidelines in determining an applicant's eligibility. The Guidelines are posted in the trustee's office as well as on our website under the township assistance page. The Guidelines are reviewed and updated annually to reflect any changes in applicable federal and state regulations.