With the winter months approaching, members of the Salvation Army and Combined Community Services are organizing efforts to help those in need with the projected increases in heating and housing costs that residents will face in upcoming months.

Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance at CCS, said Northern Indiana Public Service Co. will again have the Gift of Warmth program available, which gathers contributions from customers, employees and shareholders to assist financially struggling residents with paying utility costs. Utility assistance will be managed through CCS.

"Everyone will be feeling the increase this winter," Lisenbee-Wright said. "My biggest fear is that there will be too many people in need and not enough money to go around."

Lisenbee-Wright and Ken Locke, community relations director of the Salvation Army, both recall previous winters when monthly assistance funds would be used up after a 1-1/2 days of client requests.

"If I ever have a penny or a minute to help someone, I will," Lisenbee said. "But the problem is, I don't always have that penny or minute. We can't only work with the money we are given."

Locke, who oversees financial assistance for individuals troubled with housing costs, said the two organizations will work together to best contribute to the community. The Salvation Army and CCS may begin to stop duplication donations to one person to allow more individuals the chance to be helped by the programs.

""Everyone must get a chance to be helped by by one of us," Locke said. "It's the only fair way."

Locke also encouraged residents to limit energy usage at homes to reduce gas and electrical costs.

Small habits such as turning off lights when possible, properly sealing windows and doors, cleaning ducts, changing furnace filters and setting thermostats at manageable levels will help reduce gas and electric bills.

"This increase is not business as usual for anybody," Laura Cooper, executive director of CCS, said. "People need a proactive plan to save money. Lowering gas and electric consumption would greatly help our abilities to help people this winter."

Both organizations have experienced larger numbers of people seeking help over this year's summer months, a sign Locke said shows the winter season will be even tougher for people to meet financial responsibilities.

"It's going to be hard for the average person, because even our donors will be hurting too," Locke said. "It's a time to help out neighbors. Sometimes the smallest things can help out more than someone thinks." [[In-content Ad]]