Many Washington County households struggle to keep their homes warm and nutritious meals on the table. Those who need assistance with heating fuel from the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) have been stymied by long waits for application appointments, which in turn can mean not receiving fuel funds until February or later. Local community fuel funds try to fill in the gaps with emergency fuel vouchers but have never been meant or are able to be more than a temporary measure.
      The Rev. Colin Windhorst of the Greater Eastport Ecumenical Churches Association (GEECA) says that he's heard from a number of people and found from his own personal experience that Downeast Community Partners (DCP) was not taking phone calls to set up appointments until after Labor Day. "I got that information from DCP themselves that I should call after Labor Day, but it's also common knowledge."
      DCP is the community action partner (CAP) that works with Maine Housing to serve residents of Hancock and Washington counties. DCP administers the federal and state funds for HEAP, the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and the donation-based The Heating and Warmth Fund (THAW) to help people stay warm.
      Maine Housing Communications Director Scott Thistle disputes Windhorst's statement, maintaining that DCP did not wait until after Labor Day. "They started taking applications for appointments when the date opened in July," just like other CAPs in the state, he asserts.
      However, DCP admits the system needs to be improved. DCP Communications Director Sharon Catus says, "Pursuant to HEAP, the system of scheduling is flawed. Both Maine Housing and the CAP agencies are trying to find ways to improve this process. At DCP, we recently cross-trained a number of staff, including many in our supportive services department, i.e., additional staff not in the heating department, so that we can assist more people, faster."
      So far this heating season 2,500 HEAP households have been served by DCP, with seven households receiving ECIP funds, which can only be tapped after HEAP benefits have been exhausted. Thistle breaks down the DCP-served HEAP numbers as 1,895 returning clients and 432 new. Along with the other CAPs in the state, Maine Housing has also been feeling the staffing pinch. However, Thistle notes that one of the other CAPs is helping DCP to build capacity.
      The THAW fund has a 100-gallon fuel limit, and the fund is a stopgap to help those who need emergency fuel. From November 1 to January 1, DCP had dispersed over $100,000 to seniors and families in need in Hancock and Washington counties. "We don't want anyone cold, which is why we are working so hard to fundraise for this donor-funded program," Catus says. There is a benefit concert for the THAW Fund planned for the evening of Saturday, February 25. The "To Warm A Winter's Night" event is a night of live music, including performers such as Chris Ross, Caroline Cotter, the Fogtown Family Band and more. There will also be a silent auction. For more information visit www.grandonline.org.
      While federal programs help to fill a significant portion of the need, Washington County has a number of organizations that help to fill the gaps, not only with food pantries but with small fuel funds as well.

Machias sees significant increase
      The Machias Food Pantry, hosted by the Centre Street Congregational Church, has seen a significant increase in clients over the last three years, particularly in households with four or more members. In early 2020, the pantry reported that it had served in 2019 1,844 households with a total of 3,865 family members. The pantry's current director, Ken Warner, reports that from July 2020 to June 2021 that number jumped to 2,396 households and 11,809 family members. The past fiscal year, July 2021 to June 2022, declined a bit to 1,751 households and 10,081 family members. However, going by the numbers collected starting in July 2022 through December, the numbers suggest pantry use is trending upward. In the six-month period, 961 households and 5,499 family members have used the pantry, with almost 200 more than the previous year served just in December.
      The church's fuel fund has assisted 20 families so far. The fund has changed, given the inflationary pressures on fuel costs, with a $200 per delivery cap. The fund can pay for heating oil, propane, electric heat and kerosene. Warner notes that kerosene, often used for heating trailers, has had very high per gallon prices, reducing the amount of fuel that the $200 will purchase for those recipients. Warner says, "Things are more expensive. Working families are finding it harder to make ends meet." He had one individual who resisted using the pantry and was subsisting on kale and eggs. "They felt they had too much." A friend persuaded them to go to the pantry. Returning home with a bag of groceries, they called Warner with thanks. "It humbles you a lot," Warner says. Regular clients will come in with little treats they've made for the 14 or so regular volunteers, such as cupcakes or brownies.
      To find out more information about the pantry and fuel fund, visit www.centrestreetchurch.org or call 255 6665.
      Lubec town fuel fund helping seniors The Town of Lubec Senior Fuel Fund has had some recent changes made to it by the town select board in recognition of rising costs. The fund is limited to Lubec residents over 60 years of age. The maximum household income level has been raised to 155% of the federal poverty level. The delivery quantity of fuel was raised from 50 to 100 gallons, as the 50-gallon limit triggered a delivery fee. All fuels are available except for propane. Propane delivery can only be made to homeowner-owned tanks.
      Town Treasurer Suzette Francis notes that they have made 27 deliveries just from September into the third week of December. In 2019 the fund had made one delivery in that time. Right around the start of COVID, "We were lucky to receive a $30,000 anonymous donation. If it hadn't been for that the fund would be gone" by now. The fund usually receives about $1,000 in annual donations from community members. Deliveries are available from September through May and are restricted to 100 gallons every 30 days. The fuel tank must be at one-quarter full or less. For more information about donating or receiving help contact Francis at 733 2341.
      Over at the Lubec Community Outreach Center, Director Jennifer Bristol reports that the food pantry served 885 households and 1,444 individuals in 2022, down slightly from 2021, when they served 927 households and 1,651 individuals. "We are working to determine if folks are going to other pantries or have decided they no longer need assistance. There is also the possibility that an aging population may be challenged to get in to the pantry. We do have volunteers who deliver and have some ability to expand that to those who are unable to drive due to age or illness, but finding those people is the first step."
      LCOC accepts donations for food as well as food items and receives some standard items such as pantry staples through a federal program. Bristol adds, "We do need to supplement these items to provide better options." Compounding the start of the winter season was roof damage to the pantry in a December storm. The pantry needed to restock shelves. "This will be an added hit for January 2023" costs. Inflation is clearly seen in the pantry's food costs, which were up in November by 33% and in December by 46% over the previous year.
      "We do anticipate that our outreach and the rising cost of food will increase our numbers in the coming months. And we are considering expanding our hours and offerings. To do this, we will need more volunteers," she says. "And, of course, dollar donations are always welcome and can be designated specific to the pantry. They will be put to good use." For more information visit www.lubecoutreach.org or call 207 733 5262.

Eastport's GEECA braces for cold
      The use of the GEECA sponsored Labor of Love Food Pantry and fuel fund, based out of Eastport, is holding steady, reports board member Rev. Lynn Rutledge. However, there has been an increase since the fiscal year 2019-2020. In 2019-2020 the fuel fund gave out 13 vouchers. In 2021-2022 it was at 20 by the beginning of January and gave out a total of 36. So far this heating season they've given out 19, but Rutledge is concerned that the number could increase significantly if the winter turns from relatively warm to cold.
      The fuel fund gives vouchers for 100 gallons or one cord of firewood. However, because kerosene cost is so high, they cannot provide as much in gallons. The absolute limit is $500 in cost per fuel delivery. GEECA pre-bought 12 cords of wood in order to have it seasoned in time for the heating season.
      Like Windhorst, Rutledge is concerned with the delay in HEAP money. "The lateness of the appointments isn't helping, because the funds come in March or April," which puts increased pressure on small community fuel funds to help. "It feels like a failure of the system," she adds about the HEAP application process.
      "Thus far we have spent more than $10,000 on the 12 cords of pre-purchased firewood, 200 gallons of propane and 1,200 gallons of fuel oil."
      The food pantry has seen a slight increase in the number of seniors over last year, with 187 households and 384 household members, but overall use has remained steady. About five regular volunteers help the pantry manager, Lindy McClellan, on Friday distribution days, with two coming every Friday and three alternating. Rutledge adds that Robert and Jennifer Patterson, owners of the New Friendly Restaurant in Perry, come once a month to build the monthly food boxes, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel from Station Eastport come to help unload the twice monthly deliveries from Good Shepherd Food Bank, a major supplier of pantry food.
      To find out more about the food pantry call 853-0812, and for fuel fund application information if from outside of Eastport call Windhorst at 726-9305. For fuel fund application within Eastport call or visit Eastport City Clerk Ella Kowal at 853-2300. For more information about both programs, visit www.eastportlaboroflove.org.

Calais pantry sees increased need
      In Calais the Irene Chadbourne Ecumenical Food Pantry not only provides food for those in need but also runs a small heating assistance fund. Fuel fund manager Sherry Sivret says that for the current heating season they have helped 13 people since November 1, with most of the need starting in December. In the previous year the fund helped 17 people with emergency fuel, and two years ago the fund helped a total of 20. Those who need help are single parents, individuals on fixed incomes and the elderly. Currently the fund has enough to help four to five people.
      Sivret notes, "The price of fuel has fluctuated, and we have helped with pellets this year." She adds, "People who receive it are very grateful, and I have only had one returning individual from two years ago."
      The food pantry's new board president, Stephen Farrar, says that about 1,000 clients were served in 2022, up a bit from the 900 reported in early 2020. "The numbers are gradually increasing," he says, and in the last few months there has been an increase of 15?20 clients every month. The pantry is considering opening one evening a week or by appointment for those who work and can't access the daytime hours. The increase in food and fuel prices is driving working families into need, he notes.
      The food pantry has a social media page for more information. The fuel fund is supported by generous donations from the community and the food pantry. Donations can be sent to the ICEFP Fuel Fund, c/o P.O. Box 1008, Calais, ME 04619.
      The Washington County Community College Caring Cupboard pantry is administered by WCCC Student Navigator Bernadette Farrar. The fall semester was a very busy one, she says, with 371 visits just for those months. "There's definitely been a big difference between this [school] year and last year." For more information call Farrar at 454 1086.
      The St. Croix Area -- Calais Rotary Club is collecting donations through mail-in donations and a GoFundMe effort for a Home Heating Assistance Fund this winter for Washington County residents in need of free or reduced-cost fuel deliveries. For more information read the accompanying article in this issue.