Donations Mean The Heat Stays On For Some
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A Thanksgiving offering donated by five church congregations will help keep people warm this winter.
Nearly $5,800 was raised, according to John Lowe president of the Ministerial Association and pastor of New Life Christian Church and World Outreach.
The $5,742.92 has been split between the Salvation Army, whose auxiliary matches the money, and Combined Community Services, which has an agreement with NIPSCO to match the money.
"Most of us are blessed with the fact that you won't have to choose between eating or heating this winter," Lowe said. "I'd like to do it again next year."
He'd like to do it again in a big way, too. He thinks the 40 churches belonging to the Ministerial Association should start collecting 10 Sundays before Thanksgiving - asking for a dollar from everyone. Then, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, everyone should give $10.
"We could raise $80,000 easily," he said. "Unless you've had the utilities turned off, you don't know what its like."
Lowe knows what it's like. The first winter he spent here to establish the church, the utility service was turned off for three days. Fortunately there was a fireplace in the bedroom where he, his wife and children kept warm. Food was put on the front porch.
"That's the only good thing about winter, the food stays cold on the front porch," he said. "People are struggling. This money from churches is a way to say, 'We love you.'"
NIPSCO deposits range from $300 to $500 to restart services. The delinquent bill has to be paid before the heat comes back on, too.
"People get hit with a big bill in May to reconcile their budget. They're fine in the summer months. Then the December bill may be $380," said Peggy Wright of CCS. She manages the Comfort of Warmth program that provides payments for utility bills.
"Any crisis, a medical bill, car repair, anything, means that extra funds are gone for low-income families," she said.
Ken Locke of the Salvation Army said the organization's Angel Tree program already has the names of more than 200 children. Angel Tree provides Christmas presents. Locke said that figure is way above last year's list and they are still taking names.
CCS has an Adopt-A-Family program where one family buys for another.
All three said their food pantries are always in need of more items. The church pantry is open from 8 to 8:30 a.m. every day.
For more information, call the Salvation Army, 574-267-5361; CCS, 574-269-6019; or New Life Community Church, 574-269-5851. [[In-content Ad]]
A Thanksgiving offering donated by five church congregations will help keep people warm this winter.
Nearly $5,800 was raised, according to John Lowe president of the Ministerial Association and pastor of New Life Christian Church and World Outreach.
The $5,742.92 has been split between the Salvation Army, whose auxiliary matches the money, and Combined Community Services, which has an agreement with NIPSCO to match the money.
"Most of us are blessed with the fact that you won't have to choose between eating or heating this winter," Lowe said. "I'd like to do it again next year."
He'd like to do it again in a big way, too. He thinks the 40 churches belonging to the Ministerial Association should start collecting 10 Sundays before Thanksgiving - asking for a dollar from everyone. Then, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, everyone should give $10.
"We could raise $80,000 easily," he said. "Unless you've had the utilities turned off, you don't know what its like."
Lowe knows what it's like. The first winter he spent here to establish the church, the utility service was turned off for three days. Fortunately there was a fireplace in the bedroom where he, his wife and children kept warm. Food was put on the front porch.
"That's the only good thing about winter, the food stays cold on the front porch," he said. "People are struggling. This money from churches is a way to say, 'We love you.'"
NIPSCO deposits range from $300 to $500 to restart services. The delinquent bill has to be paid before the heat comes back on, too.
"People get hit with a big bill in May to reconcile their budget. They're fine in the summer months. Then the December bill may be $380," said Peggy Wright of CCS. She manages the Comfort of Warmth program that provides payments for utility bills.
"Any crisis, a medical bill, car repair, anything, means that extra funds are gone for low-income families," she said.
Ken Locke of the Salvation Army said the organization's Angel Tree program already has the names of more than 200 children. Angel Tree provides Christmas presents. Locke said that figure is way above last year's list and they are still taking names.
CCS has an Adopt-A-Family program where one family buys for another.
All three said their food pantries are always in need of more items. The church pantry is open from 8 to 8:30 a.m. every day.
For more information, call the Salvation Army, 574-267-5361; CCS, 574-269-6019; or New Life Community Church, 574-269-5851. [[In-content Ad]]