Millions secured for energy assistance

By Mindy Honey
BDN Staff Writer
mhoney@bransondailynews.com

Millions of dollars have been secured to help Missouri families this winter meet high energy costs, but officials say it will not be enough.

Last week, U.S. Senator Kit Bond announced that more than $2.2 million in federal funds was set to be released by President Bush to help low-income families in Missouri. Of the $2.2 million, Tommie Trammel, the director of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Springfield, said $199,522 will go to help families in 10 southwest Missouri counties, including Stone and Taney, in emergency situations.

She said that amount, combined with a little more than $1 million that had already been allocated to start the winter off with, will not be enough.

“We have $1,229,312 to start the energy crisis program,” Trammel said. “I’m hoping, due to the economy, we’ll get some more.”

The $1.2 million will be divided up to help families in Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster counties who qualify, pay for heating.

Last year, Trammel had more than $2.2 million to help southwest Missouri families.

Bond reported that though last week’s announcement was good, he knows it is not enough.

“While these funds will help many needy families in Missouri pay their energy bills this winter, it is critical that Congress provides additional funding so we can expand low-income heating help for Missouri,” Bond said.

To help families meet increasing energy costs, Bond is supporting an additional $2.5 billion to be included in the Continuing Resolution Congress must pass before the end of the year.

Kandy Loehr, the supervisor of the Taney County Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation Neighborhood Center, said she believes the need will be even larger this year than in the past.

“They are already calling now,” Loehr said.

Stone County OACAC supervisor Zana Schafer said last year she saw an increase in families seeking assistance.

“Last year, with the propane costs as high as they were, we saw a lot of first-time families that had never sought us out before,” Schafer said. “I know there is a bigger need. It is the working people who need help.”

Trammel said those who received assistance last year will be automatically sent an application for assistance again this year. Those who have never requested assistance may request an application by calling (417) 864-3460.

Schafer also encourages families who are needing energy assistance to contact their local OACAC offices and find out other ways OACAC can help.

“We encourage you to get an intake assessment and referral because there are so many things we can help your family with,” she said.