REACH OUT FOR WARMTH FUND

In the face of proposed budget cuts to the tax-payer funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) attorneys general, consumer advocates and citizens like you from 29 states (including Minnesota) expressed to Congress their strong support of this crucial program by declaring that these dollars “have provided a critical lifeline to customers who struggle each month to pay for life’s necessities by assisting them to remain connected to essential utility services.” Community Action Partnership locally uses LIHEAP dollars to serve nearly 70,000 of your neighbors in Ramsey and Washington counties. This financial assistance enables children and families living in our northern climate to stay safe and warm during the winter season by helping them to maintain uninterrupted home energy services.

Heating season is upon us and applications are now being accepted for energy assistance for the 2018-19 season. Among the services provided by the Energy Assistance Program are utility bill payment assistance, furnace repair or replacement, crisis intervention, consumer advocacy, outreach to vulnerable populations, and referrals to Community Action’s Energy Conservation Program and other community-based organizations.

The Energy Assistance Program is able to provide financial support to low-income people in our community from October 1 through May 31 or until LIHEAP dollars are exhausted. In response to public pressure Congress recently approved a Continuing Resolution through December 8, 2017 to fund LIHEAP and related programs. This is not a permanent funding solution for crucial programs that support low-income people so please continue to speak out to your representatives to keep your neighbors warm as the weather turns colder.

Unfortunately, even without the threat of budget cuts each year there are many families that do not receive services because community need continually outpaces available funding. To help ensure people in the Twin Cities stay warm during the harsh Minnesota winter, Community Action Partnership encourages donations to the Reach Out for Warmth Fund from generous individuals, corporations, and foundations all year long. This fund is used to continue serving families once LIHEAP dollars are expended each year. You can make a gift to the Reach Out for Warmth Fund today to help people keep their homes healthy and safe all winter long.