The United Way’s Winter Warmth Fund is in trouble.
Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says rural residents in Grey Bruce who use
propane, oil or wood to heat their homes have drained that portion of the fund.
Dobbyn says they have received almost 10 thousand dollars in donations from the community.
But she notes they have paid out almost 13 thousand dollars from applications where 32 families owed over 14 thousand dollars.
Another part of the Winter Warmth Fund helps families who need help to pay their regulated utility bills — like Hydro One or Union Gas.
Dobbyn says they received applications from 107 families who owed over 50 thousand dollars — and they paid almost 40 thousand dollars for them.
In total — the United Way of Bruce Grey has paid out almost 53 thousand dollars in the first six weeks of the program.
The United Way paid over 70 thousand dollars all of last Winter.
Under the program — the United Way can pay 500 dollars of a bill for low income households who are at risk of disconnect on their energy bills.
Dobbyn says they continue to accept donations from companies who want to help their Winter Warmth Program.
