This spring the legislature in Indy passed a bill to merge underperforming townships with other, more functional ones. Yet most people honestly have no idea what township government even does.

Townships actually can matter. They were created by the Indiana state Constitution of 1852 to be the level of government closest to the people, to support needs close to home ― like a fire department and emergency services. Back then a barn burning down, drought, swarms of locusts or an outbreak of diphtheria could suddenly bring any family to the brink of disaster. Being there for their neighbors was as fundamental to our forefathers’ identities as their personal independence. Today an active, busy family doing all the right things can equally be suddenly devastated by job loss, catastrophic illness or death of a bread-winner or caregiver.

I have experienced the full meaning of catastrophe personally. I was adjusting to my empty nest, paying bills and trying to build my retirement savings when my older daughter, at work on a graduate degree in Bloomington, was diagnosed with a rare cancer. That year she underwent two drastic surgeries that left her weakened and a brittle diabetic. A few weeks before her second surgery, my supervisor called me into a meeting to say my name was on the next round of layoffs. Suddenly navigation of my daughter’s dire health crises was further complicated by the economic hardship of the lost paycheck. Regardless of profession, income or other social distinction, catastrophe can strike and devastate a family at any time.

Many of our leaders in local government seem to believe that as long as business is supported, the population will do ok. But this hasn’t really proved to be true. While county and city councils are supporting business interests, the lives of many local families are getting harder. Unaffordability of basic family needs such as housing, fuel, groceries, medicine and clothing is getting worse instead of better, here and throughout the country. At the same time, state funding cuts have cost us essential services like the county health department office in my township, which closed last fall.

These changes make the security of families and the community more fragile. According to the National Council on Aging, as of late 2025, the elderly poverty rate (ages 65+) in the U.S. has risen to 15%, an increase driven by inflation and rising health care costs. The “sandwich generation”― the middle-aged adults who find themselves responsible for the care of both their children and their parents or other senior relatives — find their time and money strained to the breaking point. Young people trying to begin their adult lives are struggling to find good jobs and affordable housing. Health insurance may not be available, the cost of insurance on the Healthcare Marketplace is going up, and in Indiana, Medicaid is being cut back.

For 175 years, Indiana townships have been tasked with providing relief to residents experiencing financial hardship. Today some still play a vital role ensuring that resident families have a roof overhead, food, utilities, medicine ― the essentials needed to be safe and healthy. As we face harder times, it will be increasingly important for trustees to make themselves and their services better known to their residents. Accessibility is key. Portage Township’s office is open and staff are there to assist visitors during regular business hours. In 2025 Portage Township’s trustee reported assisting 831 families (households). Penn Township has regular office hours, but the building is kept closed and locked. Penn assisted 51 families in 2025. Harris Township’s trustee is available by appointment only and reported helping only six families.

There is still more that can be done. Townships can (and some do) also find creative ways to strengthen community services by joining forces with other public and private organizations to maximize resource utility. There are so many groups trying to make local lives better: for example, community gardens growing healthy food, services like Cultivate that collect food and turn it into healthy, accessible meals and community composting partnerships turn food scraps back into fertile soil.

As has been true at other troubled times in our history, healing will have to begin back at the grass roots ― neighbors taking a break from scrolling and trolling, remembering to love their neighbors ― to get back in touch with their inner Good Samaritan. This summer, as a candidate for Penn Township trustee, I’ll be walking my neighborhoods, knocking on doors, asking my neighbors, what do we need? What would make our community safer, healthier, more secure for you and your neighbors? The township is neighbors helping neighbors — kindness and connection. Since 1852 it’s been in our Indiana DNA.

Nancy Duncan is a candidate for Penn Township trustee. She lives in Mishawaka.