FARMINGTON – Those who run low on fuel this winter and don’t know where to turn should call Western Maine Community Action at 645-9636, ext. 5523, or 1-800-645-3764 and ask to speak with Tania Gage or Judy Frost. They can process an application for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program.

If eligible, federal funds will be used to authorize a fuel delivery. If a family is not eligible or no funds are yet available, there is another fund for helping neighbors in Franklin County.

The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund can be tapped by Western Maine Community Action to pay for 100 gallons of heating fuel for any Franklin County household in need.

Funds are raised by area churches and individual contributions each year to supply the need. During the 2005-06 heating season the fund helped 218 individuals in 76 households throughout the county, for a total of $18,576.87. All the money was donated by neighbors wanting to lend a helping hand.

Contributions to the Ecumenical Heating Fund reached $21,776.88 last year. A goal of $25,000 in donations is the target for this winter. Contributions may be sent to Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938. Individual contributions are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged. The fund is a ministry of the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry in coordination with the Poverty Busters.

The Poverty Busters is a group of clergy who meet with Fenwick Fowler, executive director of Western Maine Community Action, to address the challenges of poverty in Franklin County.

The Poverty Busters began meeting in 2003. At that time, clergy were having a hard time responding to all the requests churches were receiving from people who could not afford an oil delivery.

The group realized that a collaborative effort, administered by the staff at Western Maine Community Action, would enable more help. The Poverty Busters also lent their support to the effort to launch a Community College extension for Franklin County. They are working on a security deposit loan fund to be administered by WMCA in cooperation with area landlords.

The Rev. Susan Crane is coordinator of the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund.