NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Vice Chairman, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR, Commissioner
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 09/19/08 PR#08-31
Older Residents Emergency Fund Established
NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Office of Aging and Adult Services has entered into a public-private partnership with The Montgomery County Foundation and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania to establish an emergency fund for older residents this winter.
The three agencies have put together $30,000 and are seeking contributions from the community to double that amount for the Older Residents Emergency Fund.
Soaring energy costs will affect people with limited income in particular this winter. The cost of heating the average home with oil heat is expected to go up 30 percent this winter and gas prices are expected to climb by 19 percent.
That could leave many older Montgomery County residents making tough choices between paying for energy to heat their homes and other necessities.
The fund will attempt to address the most dire circumstances not able to be covered by LIHEAP or other sources of assistance. All applicants will be screened through the Office of Aging and Adult Services, beginning in November of 2008.
It is hoped that business leaders and community members will contribute to this emergency fund to help those older persons most in need. The goal is to establish a permanent fund that will assist those in need of both heating and cooling support into the future.
To make a contribution please make checks payable to The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. / Emergency Heating & Cooling Fund; 2 West Lafayette Street, Suite 120; Norristown, Pa. 19401. For more information about contributions please call 610-313-9836.
