Salvation Army coffers recover from harsh winter fuel costs

    Even as fuel costs continue to climb, Salvation Army leaders are hoping for a spring respite from a harsh winter that has severely tested its ability to meet a dramatic increase in requests for fuel assistance.
    “Fuel assistance of this magnitude is not a normal part of our operation, but the public has come to expect, and has a right to expect, that we will do everything within our power to meet the needs of people, at the time of greatest need, and in the way that does the most good.” said Major David Kelly, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Northern New England Division, which includes Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.  “The fuel crisis this year is virtually unparalleled in its scope, and consequently our response should be unparalleled, too.”
     The Salvation Army’s Emergency Fuel Fund Program, which has virtually come to an end, was able to mount a formidable response to the crisis by releasing $250,000 from emergency funds and as a result of its presence in almost every Northern New England community.
    While requests for assistance rose in cities and towns across the region, the number of families who came to The Salvation Army for help in places such as Bangor and Houlton was startling.
    “We saw a significant increase for fuel assistance compared to last year at this time,” said Captain Steven Pearl, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army’s Houlton Corps. “We helped over 100 folks with heating oil, almost a 300 percent increase from last year.”
    The story was the same in Bangor where local administrators indicate that more than 200 individuals have received fuel assistance.
    Captain Louis Patrick of Barre, Vt. states, “We spent thousands of dollars helping families this year with fuel and heating that we have exhausted our funds.”  “We have assisted 30 families since January.”
    The Nashua Corps has helped 15 families with fuel aid, twice as many requests for help compared to last year.  Their social worker received calls on a weekly basis for fuel help.
    In addition to 24 corps community centers, commanded by officers and staffed by experienced social workers, The Salvation Army has a vast network of service units in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont where volunteers help administer funds for emergency assistance.
    In some cities, such as Portland, local oil dealers supported Salvation Army efforts through company funds or discount programs.
    As a result of the fuel crisis, organizational leaders believe they have learned some valuable lessons about coping with such an extraordinary situation.
    For further information, please contact Patricia James at 774-6304 or e-mail at patricia_james@use.salvationarmy.org.