With prices increasing, belt tightening has become routine for many peninsula residents. But what happens when the belt is as tight as it can be, it's winter and the cost of heating your home is out of reach? 

Community Navigator Hannah Corkum at the Community Resource Council has an answer: Call her.

Corkum makes sure CRC's Fuel Fund assists residents of Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport with heating their homes. The program runs from Nov. 15 through April 15 each year and is funded by many private donors including local churches.

"We make it as easy as possible," she told the Register recently. "We do what we can to reduce any barriers."

Whether a home is heated by wood, electricity, kerosene, or oil, the Fuel Fund fills in the gaps. The CRC negotiates the best prices with providers who are able to get fuel to those needing it, she said.

Last year, the Fuel Fund helped 55 families through April 15 and Corkum said this year's number has already exceeded that with months left to go. "We're seeing a lot of new families and we're getting the word out that we're available," she said. "People were caught off guard with added expenses and colder temperatures and we have the funding to continue this year thanks to a lot of amazing donors."

CRC's Fuel Fund provides clients with 100 gallons, or the monetary equivalent, of fuel for the season. This includes #2 heating oil, kerosene, propane, electricity and sometimes wood pellets. Last year, $20,788 was provided to purchase fuel.

Corkum urges those needing assistance to call and schedule an appointment. "It's a quick screening," she explained, "and we may find that there are also other programs that might help them." Sometimes finding help from another program may free up funds for fuel. "We can help them get creative with expenses," she said.

Corkum advised, "There aren't a lot of hoops to jump through."Income guidelines for the program change every year, so people who need help shouldn't assume they don't qualify this year if they haven't in the past. "We do what we can to make this happen and we're going to get fuel to anyone who needs it," she said.

The Fuel Fund began in 2005 through the Congregational Church. Corkum praises the community of many donors who make the Fund possible. Those wishing to donate can do so on the CRC's website. Checks with "Fuel Fund" written in the memo portion can be sent to CRC, P.O. Box 43, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

To schedule an appointment with Corkum, call 350-1743 or email hannah.corkum@crcboothbay.org