LEXINGTON, KY - December 30, 2011 - Community Action Council will begin Wednesday, January 4, 2012, taking applications for The Council expects to help thousands of Central Kentucky residents at risk of having their primary heat source shut off but will have less money than has been available in recent years.
"We expect this to be a difficult year due to rising utility rates, an increase in the number of people living in poverty locally, and an economy that remains soft," said Charlie Lanter, Manager, Program Development, at Community Action Council. "We will do everything we can with every dollar we have available but we will have at least $250,000 less than last year while expecting greater need."
From January through March 2011, the Council spent almost $2 million assisting households through the LIHEAP Crisis program. In winter 2010 the amount was $1.9 million and in 2009 it was $1.8 million. However, early projections by the Council are that it will have only about $1.7 million available. In 2010 and 2011, the need for assistance averaged about $152,000 per week.
In addition to LIHEAP, the Council operates several energy assistance programs and requirements vary by program so anyone in need of help should visit one of the Council's centers and bring important documents such as proof of income and utility bills and disconnect notices. Proof of income is needed for the previous month for anyone in the household age 18 or older. Those in need should never assume the Council is unable to help, as funds often become available on short notice as contributions are received and processed.
Applications can be taken at any of the following Community Action Council locations:
• 913 Georgetown Street, Lexington (859) 233-4600
• 3439 Buckhorn Drive, Suite 100, Lexington (859) 273-6395
• 520 Toner Street, Lexington (859) 554-4350
• 1902 Cambridge Drive, Lexington (859) 246-1192
• 1169 Winburn Drive, Lexington (859) 294-5249
• 18 Clinic Drive, Paris (859) 987-5277
• 217 Old Lair Road, Cynthiana (859) 234-2121
• 149 Scrubgrass Road, Carlisle (859) 289-7172
• 1113 Main Street, Millersburg (859) 484-3860
For more information about energy assistance or other ways Community Action Council can help, please call:
• (859) 233-4600 in Lexington
• (859) 987-5277 in Paris
• (859) 234-2121 in Cynthiana
• (859) 289-7172 in Carlisle
• or call 1-800-244-2275
Area residents can help their neighbors keep the heat on through contributions to the Council. Donations are accepted online, by mail, or in person at all locations across Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties. Donations are also accepted through local energy provider's bills by donating to the WinterCare Energy Fund. Customer donations through their utility bill are matched by the utility.
Contributions are tax deductible and donors should indicate that the donation is for energy assistance. For more information about giving, please call 859-244-2221. Contributions can be mailed to: Community Action Council, P.O. Box 11610, Lexington, KY 40576, or you may give online at www.commaction.org.
Community Action Council is a private, non-profit organization created in 1965 to combat poverty. The Council is the designated community action agency for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas counties in Central Kentucky. The Council also operates limited programming in Scott, Jessamine, and Madison counties. Annually the Council helps more than 35,000 individuals with energy assistance, child development, rent, home weatherization, and other activities designed to alleviate a family crisis or help move toward self-sufficiency. Follow us the Council Facebook at Community Action Council or on Twitter at @cacadvocate.
