By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

More than a dozen religious organizations in Franklin County have formed an alliance to help families in need of heating assistance this winter.

The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund has raised nearly $11,000 in its second year but has already authorized spending all but about $1,000 of it helping families in 10 towns to purchase heating oil.

By contrast, the collaborative effort raised about $5,000 last year.

“We’re all very concerned,” said the Rev. Doug Dunlap of the First Congregational Church in Wilton, one of the participating churches. “We all wish we didn’t have to do this in the first place,” he said, though they’re happy to help, he said.

“A solution does not appear to be in sight,” he added.

With federal and state funds dwindling and heating costs rising, clerics from throughout the county hope and even expect their congregations to come through.

“It’s one of those things that is so identifiable as a need that people respond to it,” said the Rev. Timothy Walmer of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wilton.

“There’s a great deal to be said to responding to things near at hand,” he said. “I suspect Mainers are not going to be very vocal about it but just do it.”

Walmer’s church will be holding a Boar’s head dinner on Jan. 6 – an Old English tradition to celebrate the 12th night of Christmas, also known as Epiphany. Though a pork dinner will be served, there won’t be a true boar’s head, he said. There will be madrigal singing and other music.

“We hope it’ll be a lot of fun and raise a lot of money for the fund,” he said.

The assistance program, administered through Western Maine Community Action, is an adjunct to the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Families referred to community action may be eligible to receive help from both funds, according to Irv Faunce, program operations director for the agency. This week, Gov. John Baldacci is also expected to ask the state Legislature for $5 million to fund a state aid program called Keep ME Warm.

Churches will be holding fundraisers throughout the season and some offerings will also be donated to the fund. On Jan. 29, The First Congregational Church in Wilton will host a young people’s concert. Details for the event are still being coordinated.

Contributing groups include: Fairbanks Union Church, First Congregational Church of Wilton, Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, Mount Blue Assembly of God, New Sharon Congregational Church, Old South Congregational Church, Shorey Chapel in Industry, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sugarloaf Area Ministry, Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilton United Methodist Church, St. Rose Roman Catholic Church and the Society of Friends.

Donations may be sent to Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund, c/o Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938. For information about receiving assistance, phone Western Maine Community Action at 645-3764.