FARMINGTON – Members of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church provided a free hot dog meal on the church’s front lawn following the parade and during the Pierce House concert on the 4th of July.

Although the lunch was free, donations were accepted to benefit the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund. A total of just over $400 was donated and will be given to help the local fund.

The heating fund is a cooperative ministry of Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry. Applications for assistance are processed by Western Maine Community Action.

When federal or state funds are available to assist those in needs, WMCA first authorizes payments from those funds. But, when there is nowhere else to turn, WMCA is able to authorize a fuel delivery from the funds raised by the ministry.

A similar arrangement is also in place for residents of Livermore Falls. The churches in Jay and Livermore Falls work through the United Methodist Church in Livermore Falls to make assistance available for those who do not live in Franklin County.

During the 2005-2006 heating season, the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund assisted 77 households throughout Franklin County to purchase fuel for their homes. The fund purchased $18,357.09 in fuel.

WMCA Entitlement Specialist Tania Gage, who processes the applications, said she is grateful for the additional resources.

“This fund has allowed us to serve customers in need regardless of their income,” Gage said. “Sometimes, something as small as 100 gallons of fuel can make a huge difference in a person’s life. I don’t know what we did before the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund.”

A total of $21,776.88 has been donated to date.

The Rev. Susan Crane, fund coordinator, said she is pleased that a balance remains in the fund to draw on this fall. Typically, the first calls for assistance begin to come in September. Crane, pastor of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, looks forward “to serving our neighbors in need again next heating season.”

Anyone or group who would like to help by making a contribution may make a check payable to Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund and mail it to “The Ecu Heat Fund” at P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938.