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"We recently helped a family of 2; a husband and wife. The husband is the only one working right now since she is physically unable to work due to a back injury. The wife shared with me how she has to purchase food with a credit card in order to have food on the table because all of their earnings go towards paying utility bills. By purchasing food with the credit card she stated, with tears in her eyes, “It buys me a 30 day grace period…enough time towards the next paycheck to then be able to pay that food bill”. She also told me that she and her husband collect cans to recycle in order to purchase gas for their vehicle. She is grateful that Operation Fuel is there to help."
- Windham Fuel Bank Director -
Operation Fuel uses a network of over 65 fuel banks that are in direct contact with local households in need. They are town social services agencies, community action agencies, nonprofit organizations, and religious organizations. These agencies voluntarily take applications for our program.
In addition to providing our clients with crisis funding, our network of fuel banks also provides referral for both long-term and immediate solutions. Services may include budget counseling, consumer credit counseling, help with a job search, referrals to food pantries, day care centers, legal aid counseling, housing assistance, and treatment services. Operation Fuel’s energy banks also facilitate oil deliveries, stop utility service shut-offs, arrange for utility service reconnection and negotiate with energy assistance vendors on behalf of clients, enabling them to work out a reasonable payment schedule based on budget constraints. Some agencies also provide conservation and weatherization workshops in conjunction with utility company programs and resources.
Services and Population Served:
Operation Fuel
Program Report Year ending June 30, 2009:
| |
Connecticut |
Region 1 |
Region 2 |
Region 3 |
Region 4 |
Region 5 |
| Funds Disbursed: |
$5,930,006 |
$777,434 |
$1,836,409 |
$724,003 |
$1,515,091 |
$1,077,069 |
| Households Served: |
13,412 |
1,763 |
3,794 |
1,799 |
3,634 |
2,422 |
| Individuals Served: |
35,897 |
4,931 |
9,875 |
4,837 |
9,729 |
6,525 |
 |
Adults: |
|
50% |
47% |
48% |
52% |
51% |
50% |
|
|
Children under 18: |
|
39% |
42% |
39% |
38% |
39% |
38% |
|
|
Elderly & Disabled: |
|
11% |
11% |
13% |
10% |
10% |
12% |
Number of fuel
banks in network: |
99 |
12 |
15 |
19 |
26 |
27 |
For information on applying for assistance please call 211 or
the
fuel
bank in your town.
|
 |
Chris Frances of WTIC News Talk
1080 interviews Naomi McClure of the Groton
Emergency Energy Fund.
|
