First, a big thank you to the Rotary Club for hosting the veterans last Thursday for a Veterans Day dinner! And thanks to the Rotary’s Interact Club, the high school kids who served food and waited on tables. It is always a great event and is very much appreciated by the veteran community. 

As many of you know, five years ago I co-founded Maine Veterans in Need. This non-profit focuses on veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. When you’re living on the margin, it doesn’t take much to fall behind on rent or a mortgage. Rising food prices, higher electrical rates, or even one unexpected expense can tip things over. Winter is especially tough because of the rising cost of heating fuel and electricity. 

Over the past five years, MVN has helped veterans who, unable to afford fuel, used electric heaters. That kept them warm but drove electric bills into the thousands. Power companies can’t shut off service in winter, so some veterans feel they have no choice. Then April comes, shutoffs resume, and suddenly they face a bill they can’t pay.  Again, MVN, working with other non-profits, and negotiating with CMP and Versant, prevent the power being shut off, but the bill still has to be paid. 

MVN too often gets a call from a veteran who is about to run out, or has run out, of heating fuel. That usually means providing an emergency 100 gallons to get them through the immediate crisis, and then helping them find resources to fully fill the tank. While many of you are ready for winter, you probably know veterans or neighbors who aren’t. So here is some information you can pass along. 

Now is the time to “do the math” on what it will take to heat the house all winter and budget accordingly. One major resource is Maine’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or HEAP). It helps with heating costs based on income and household size. Applications go through Community Action Program agencies. For Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties, that’s the Midcoast Maine Community Action Program at 34 Wing Farm Parkway in Bath (207-442-7963). Financial resources are limited with these programs, especially during these times.  Both CMP and Versant Power also have assistance programs for electric bills.  Plan ahead. 

For low-income veterans in a financial emergency, the state offers the Veteran Emergency Financial Assistance Program (VEFAP), which provides up to $2,000 per eligible veteran per year. The process can take a few weeks, so planning ahead matters. Contact me for the link. 

The state is also hosting a Zoom meeting on Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. titled “Winter Heating Resources for Maine People.” Register by emailing Afton.Vigue@maine.gov. 

And for those who heat with wood, don’t forget the Community Resource Council’s Woodchucks Program, which can help with firewood. 

Finally, a reminder: the free Thanksgiving dinner at the Legion is on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. Hope to see many of you there.