Rising energy costs means greater need for crisis support.
St. Louis (September 26, 2006) – With energy costs high and federal heating assistance programs not enough to meet the need, officials at Dollar-Help, Inc. are gearing up a month earlier than normal in order to get assistance more quickly to those who are in the greatest need. The agency will now make grants available as of October 1, instead of November 1. Dollar-Help distributes close to $1 million in heating assistance annually and has set a record fundraising goal of $1.2 million for this year.
“Many families are still paying off last winter’s heating bills, and are anxious about how they will survive another winter of high energy costs,” said Dennis Kelley, president of Dollar-Help. “The goal we’ve set this year will help meet the increased need we are seeing for assistance. Also, moving up the heating season by one month allows us to get the funding to social service agencies that much earlier, so they can help more families, sooner.”
Dollar-Help is a non-profit agency serving elderly, handicapped, and low-income households in St. Louis City and County and eight other counties in Eastern Missouri. On October 1, the charity will provide an initial allocation to each of the seven social service agencies which qualify eligible families to be awarded with grants. Subsequent allocations are made during the winter, spring and summer depending on funding available.
Human Development Corp., the agency serving the City of St. Louis and Wellston, will receive a total of $525,000 for the year. The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is slated for $95,000.
Since its inception in 1982, Dollar-Help has distributed more than $13.25 million in heating assistance. The typical Dollar-Help recipient has an annual household income of $6,500 or less. The majority are elderly, handicapped, or families with young children.
“Dollar-Help is a source of last resort for assistance with heating bills,” said Kelley. “In order to reach our goal of $1.2 million we are hoping and counting on the support from each of the communities served.”
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