Operation Fuel Gearing for Unprecedented Need

Operation Fuel, the statewide nonprofit organization that doles out emergency heating assistance, is anticipating a huge increase in requests this year after a round of federal budget cuts, a high unemployment rate and rising energy costs.

The group, which helps lower-income working families, the elderly and the disabled who are not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs, is kicking off its annual fundraising campaign this week and is in need of donations this year more than ever.

“We expect there will be an unprecedented demand on Operation Fuel this winter, especially from vulnerable households with young children or elderly residents on a fixed income,” Operation Fuel Executive Director Patricia Wrice said in a news release.

Because so many people are at risk, Operation Fuel’s winter program already has started for households in crisis.

Though the group depends on private, corporate and foundation grants to run its energy-assistance program, substantial cuts to the federal government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will put a severe strain on groups like Operation Fuel.

In the past year, Operation Fuel has distributed $1.7 million in emergency assistance to more than 5,000 households across the state. Last winter, it had to close its winter program early for the first time in its 34-year history when funds ran out, according to Wrice.

“We hope that everyone who is able to do so will join Operation Fuel in its mission to ensure that no one goes without heat this winter,” Wrice said in the release.

If you’d like to donate to Operation Fuel, you can send your contribution to Operation Fuel, One Regency Drive, Suite 200, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or make an online donation atwww.operationfuel.org.  If you need emergency energy assistance, call 211.