News 12 at 11 o'clock, December 17, 2009

AUGUSTA---Help is out there for people who can't afford to keep their homes warm this winter, but a lot of those resources are running out of money. It seems a lack of cold, hard cash might leave more people in the cold.

There are several resources in the CSRA to turn to for help. The problem is, it may be too late because the well has run dry.

With winter come high electric bills, and for many, try as they might, they just can't pay.

"We actually had a lady in here yesterday (Wednesday) who was crying because she said this was the first time she had to go through this," said Pat Johnson with the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority. The agency helps to pay gas and electric bills for those experiencing financial hard times. Johnson says this year has been so overwhelming, they are out of funding.

"With the economy and hours are being cut and family people working and trying to make ends meet, more families are applying," she said.

Catholic Social Services, another agency, is out of money too. There is a voice mail greeting at their offices that states they are "out of funding and those who call in should check with the United Way."

The United Way may be one of the few places left that can help, but there are also ways that many of us can help ourselves by cutting back. One way is using what's called a kilowatt device. The tool checks out the levels of energy used.

The kilowatt device tool reads the level of energy consumption in your home. The meter readings can help determine where the most energy is used, and therefore where residents should cut back on usage. The device can be checked out at most local libraries in Georgia.

Johnson says as far as assistance from the CSRA EOA, it may be too late this year.

"We do try to get it processed within 4 or 5 days, but the challenge is we have a lot of families that they're being cut off today or they're being cut off tomorrow and we're working overtime to see if we can get a check to the power company," said Johnson. "With so many people in crisis at this time, plants closing in the rural counties, jobs being cut, people being laid off, we have a lot of people who are applying for the first time."

Many applicants have put aside their pride to keep the lights on. Johnson says it is better than being in the dark.

"We know a lot of people come in and they wouldn't be here if they didn't desperately need the assistance," Johnson said. "We know it is hard."

There are other independent churches and organizations that may be able to help. For more information, call the organizations below.

United Way: Call 2-1-1 or 706-826-1495. If out of local calling area, call toll free 1-877-292-5211
EOA (706) 722-0493
Salvation Army (706) 826-7933
Methodist Children's Home (706) 722-8669
First Baptist Church (706) 733-2236
Project Share (706) 826-7937
Hill Baptist Church (706) 736-8446
Hillcrest Baptist Church (706) 793-3104
Aldersgate Methodist (706) 733-4416
Catholic Social Services (706) 722-3661
Antioch Baptist Church (706) 724-2809