Warmth for Wake Begins

For the 27th year Warmth for Wake will be providing heating assistance to low-income Wake County households. Warmth for Wake is administered through Wake County Human Services and cosponsored by the North Carolina Bankers Association.

It traditionally kicks off on October 31 each year and runs through March. For the past 25 years funds have been used to provide kerosene, fuel oil, wood, coal, gas and to pay utility bills for households facing crisis situations due to inability to pay for sources of heat.

Last year more than $67,000 was raised and 414 households were assisted. Most of these households contained either elderly or disabled adults, or minor children. To be eligible, households must reside in Wake County and must meet certain income guidelines. To get additional information on eligibility, please call 212-7000 and ask for the Energy Assistance Program.

The program is funded entirely through voluntary tax-deductible contributions from citizens, churches, civic and fraternal organizations and businesses. All funds go to direct services to clients with no administrative costs taken from the contributions. Contributions are accepted at any Wake County bank or can be mailed to Warmth for Wake, P.O. Box 46833, Raleigh, NC 27620.

The NCBA brings together all categories of banking institutions to best represent the interests of this rapidly changing industry. With 130 members, it has served North Carolina bankers since 1897, and can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ncba.com.