Portage Township Trustee Office

Here for you in your time of need.

2026 Community Survey Results

After hundreds of responses, you made your voices heard from across the community. We want you to know we are listening, and your feedback will help shape the future of the Portage Township Trustee Office. Thank you to everyone who participated in letting us know the critical issues they face as residents every day. To access the results of our 2026 Community Survey, please click on the button below.

Download Here

WHo we are

The Portage Township Trustee Office is committed to helping individuals and families facing moments of crisis in our community.

Our goal is to help as many people as possible build stronger futures for themselves.

Stop by our office located at 340 Columbia Street in downtown South Bend, just behind the post office, or give us a call at 574-233-2126.

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How we can help

The Portage Township Trustee’s Office is responsible for providing financial assistance to qualifying township residents in need in accordance with Indiana state statute and eligibility standards and procedures adopted annually by the Portage Township Board.

Rental and Housing Assistance

We can help provide aid for housing, mobile homes, apartments, or the rooms in which you live.

Utility Assistance

We can help with the payment of water, gas, sewer, heating, and electric services. We may also be able to help with the payment of delinquent bills to prevent termination or to restore terminated service.

Lady receiving assistance from Portage Township Trustee

Miscellaneous

If applicable, we can provide assistance with certain food costs, baby essentials, clothing, cremation services, and specific medical services.

Success Story

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts and doing the right things, a crisis hits, and you need a little help. That’s where we step in.Listen to how the Cooper family was able to overcome their temporary setback and can now enjoy a brighter future with a little help from the Portage Township Trustee.

Get In Touch

Fill out the form below with your contact information and a brief message and someone at the Portage Township Trustee will review your message and follow-up if necessary. Please make sure to leave a phone number and/or email address in the “Message” section to allow a member of our staff to contact you.

Applications for Township Assistance must be done in person by visiting our office and cannot be done by using this form.

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Portage Township. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

Portage Township - St. Joseph County

1,456

Portage Township represents the majority of the city of South Bend. Jason Critchlow is the current Portage Township Trustee.

Portage Township - St. Joseph County

5 days ago

Tonight's NOURISH Cooking Class brought the heat at the wonderful Kroc Center of South Bend!We delved into the beneficial world of lentils with a creamy Gochujang Lentils & Chickpeas Rice dish that is sure to have your taste buds doing flips! This hearty, vegan recipe keeps in your fridge for a few days and will have you kicking leftover fatigue to the curb, making it great for meal prep. The best part: everyone left with ingredients to make it at home!Thank you to the incredible staff at the Kroc Center for hosting our class. We look forward to announcing our Fall NOURISH Classes next week! Keep your eyes peeled on social media or visit our website to add yourself to the mailing list! ... See MoreSee Less

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Portage Township - St. Joseph County

6 days ago

This morning, we had the absolute joy of helping over 50 unsheltered children put the right foot forward this school year at Shoe Carnival! While a new school year comes with fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, backpacks... sometimes what a kid really needs is a great pair of shoes and a little reminder that their community is cheering them on. A HUGE thank you goes out to the incredible employees at Shoe Carnival. Seriously, thank you James, Emily, and Alyssa for opening the doors early and helping make this morning so special. Your kindness, patience, and generosity made a real difference for the families who joined us.We also want to give a heartfelt thank you to the McKinney-Vento Program in South Bend for their partnership and for the important work they do every day to support students and families experiencing housing instability. Their commitment to making sure every child has the opportunity to start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and cared for is truly inspiring.For a child starting a new school year, a new pair of shoes can mean confidence. It can mean belonging. It can mean walking through those school doors feeling ready to take on whatever comes next. And that's what community is all about, helping our kids take that next step. One pair of shoes at a time. Some photos have been blurred to respect privacy and sensitivity to the families in attendance. ... See MoreSee Less

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Portage Township - St. Joseph County

7 days ago

Photos from The REAL Enrichment Center's post ... See MoreSee Less

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CONTACT

Township Office:
340 Columbia Ave
South Bend, IN 46601

O: (574) 233-2126
F: (574) 233-2144
info@portagetownship71.in.gov