Another hit for low-income families

The entire team that is responsible for managing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which supports approximately 6.2 million people across the U.S. in paying their heating and cooling bills, has been fired.  

It just keeps getting better and better. 

At Stone Soup Kitchen, we have many friends who have received help from LIHEAP from time to time.  One person in particular, I'll call him George, came to us for help with food for his family, and said that he was behind on his utility bills because of his wife's illness.  Some of you may know that even if you have health insurance, it doesn't pay for everything, and if you are also an hourly worker... well, you can see how this situation could snowball.  No income from your ill spouse, no income from you as you take time off for their medical needs, bills pile up -- rent, electric, gas or oil, medical costs -- and then there is this pesky need for food several times a day.  

We focus on food at Stone Soup Kitchen, but we also try to provide our friends with referrals to other programs that can help with their specific needs.  LIHEAP was a life-altering help for George and his family as they worked to catch up on their bills.  

Last winter was deadly cold in some areas of the country.  This summer will be deadly hot in some areas of the country.

Where will the help come from?