More than $300,000 donated to Keep ME Warm

BANGOR – Mainers are reaching into their pockets this winter to help other Mainers keep warm.

More than $300,000 already has been raised through a special fund set up by the Governor’s Office.

As of Jan. 11, residents, corporations and foundations have donated $300,917 to the Keep ME Warm Charitable Fuel Fund. It is designed to assist those who make too much money to qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but who still can’t afford this year’s high heating costs.

The average yearly income for a LIHEAP recipient is $12,000.

Ten Community Action Programs around the state are receiving the Keep ME Warm funds and distributing them to those in need, Dick Davies, senior policy adviser to the governor, said Friday.

“Any money that comes in is distributed to those agencies every two weeks,” he said.

To help get the word out, three of Maine’s former governors, Angus King, John McKernan and Joseph Brennan, are asking residents to set aside a few dollars to help their neighbors. The three recorded a public service announcement to spread the word. It is airing on 42 radio stations in Maine.

Each Community Action Program has basic eligibility requirements for the funds, but differ depending on location, Davies said.

“Each CAP agency has a slightly different approach” to the funding, because “a situation with someone in the Portland area is slightly different than one in Aroostook County,” he said.

“As governors, we have put all differences aside and come together to help Mainers in need,” Gov. John Baldacci stated in a press release issued Tuesday. “The money generated … will help our seniors and our disabled stay warm this winter.”

Baldacci also led an effort, supported wholeheartedly by the Legislature, to take $5 million from the General Fund to support the state’s LIHEAP program this winter. Without the additional funding, the program could afford to provide needy families in Maine with only about 180 gallons of oil each, about half a tank.

“The governor responded in light of the fact that the federal government has not increased funding to the LIHEAP program and fuel prices have doubled in the past two to three years,” Beth Nagusky, director of Maine’s Office of Energy Independence and Security, said Friday.

With the additional funds, the state estimates that “the average additional benefit would be $106,” Davies said.

Maine’s LIHEAP program served 46,450 families in 2004 compared to 45,000 families the previous year, and it’s expected that 48,000 families will ask for assistance this year.

With the skyrocketing $2-plus price for a gallon of oil, and predictions that costs will not be dropping in the near future, the governor has stressed researching other sources of sustainable energy, such as solar, wind and biodiesel.

Davies predicted that until the federal government recognizes the need for additional LIHEAP funding for Northern states across the country, another charitable fuel fund could be needed again next year and in subsequent years.

Those interested in making tax-deductible donations to the Keep ME Warm fund can do so by calling (800) 698-4959 or log on to www.mainecommunityaction.org. Families needing assistance with home heating are directed to call their area Community Action Program.