The arrival of winter weather in the Triangle today means, for some, choosing between heating their homes and paying for other necessities, such as food or medicine.
Local utilities and social service agencies have programs to help qualified people pay their heating bills. Three of those programs - two organized by Duke Energy and Progress Energy and a third in Wake County sponsored by the N.C. Bankers Association - make it possible for the public to contribute.
Donations to all three programs are tax deductible, and all the money goes toward heating bills. Money raised by Duke Energy and Progress Energy is matched by grants from the companies and distributed through local social service agencies.
Warmth for Wake helped more than 200 households this past year, through Wake County Human Services. Contributions are accepted at any Wake County bank or can be mailed to Warmth for Wake, P.O. Box 46833, Raleigh, NC 27620. For more information, go to www.ncba.com and click on Community Service or go to www.wakegov.com and search for "Warmth for Wake."
Duke Energy customers can contribute to the company's Share the Warmth Fund by using the return envelope in their electric bill or by sending a check to the Duke Energy Foundation. For details, go to www.duke-energy.com and click on "Our Community" and "Helping Those in Need."
Progress Energy customers can contribute to the Energy Neighbor Fund by check or online. For more information, go to www.progress-energy .com/community.
