As the colder weather sets in, the Pictou County Fuel Fund (PCFF) is gearing up to assist people who need a helping hand with staying warm this winter.
The Fuel Fund’s annual fundraising campaign is now underway to support the organization’s efforts to ensure “No One Should Go Cold in Pictou County.”
“The impact of inflation on families, especially with the rising cost of food, is especially hard for working families and people on fixed incomes”, said Glennie Langille, chairperson of the PCFF. “The choice between fuel and food is a sad reality for many of our neighbours.”
The volunteer group raises money to provide assistance to families that find themselves with urgent heating needs, facing the prospects of an unheated home environment during the winter months. Intended for those who are dangerously close to running out of fuel to heat their home and who have no financial means to pay for fuel, eligible families may use this support once per heating season. Assistance from the Fuel Fund is available from Nov. 15 until the end of March.
Families can apply for a maximum of $450 worth of oil, propane, firewood or wood pellets. During the past heating season, 289 families received this support.
“The Fuel Fund is truly neighbours helping neighbours,” said Langille. “We cannot do it without the kind support of caring people in our community.”
The Fuel Fund relies entirely on donations from individuals, churches, schools, and municipal governments.
A report released by the Energy Poverty Task Force last fall found that 43 per cent of Nova Scotians experience energy poverty, which means they spend more than six per cent of after-tax income on home energy. Energy poverty has a profound impact on individuals and families.
Information on how to apply for assistance can be found at: www.pictoucountyfuelfund.ca or by calling 902-616-4328 (HEAT) – Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation can also do so through the “Donate Now” button on the PCFF website at www.pictoucountyfuelfund.ca, or by dropping it off at Summer Street Industries.