Ontario's poor and 'working poor' continue to bear the brunt of rising costs and, those in Bruce Grey are no exception as the United Way of Bruce Grey releases its Winter Warmth report for the year 2011. 

The program provides grants, of up to $500 per funding source or utility, to low-income residents.

Dobbyn also cites rising energy costs as a significant burden for families in the region.  "There has been a 57% increase in furnace oil costs since 2009, electricity has increased by 27% and 48% respectively, before you add on the HST," she points out.  Fortunately, for people with natural gas or propane, rates have either reduced or remained largely unchanged.

One emerging issue is support for 2012.  At this time, the United Way has no dollars to allocate to furnace oil, propane or wood.

“Last year we were able to raise $93 000 to help cover costs for these sources of heat," says Dobbyn, "and a $50,000 donation from Bruce Power was a one-time gift.  We know our community is struggling, and to ask for more from its people is hard.”

The United Way of Bruce Grey’s Winter Warmth program provides grants, of up to $500 per funding source or utility, to low-income residents.  The accounts need to be in arrears or are at risk of disconnection, or are already disconnected. 

Initially, this program ran only in the winter, but the program is now slated to run 12 months of the year, funding permitting. 

Over $340 000 worth of support provided to the community 

Total number of files processed:            635

Total number of families helped:            503

(For many families they need support on more than just one utility hence the difference between “files” and “families”.)

Hydro One*                               $191,277.26

Union Gas                                 $  60,721.63

Furnace Oil                               $  34,128.63

Westario                                    $  23,790.69

Wood                                         $     4,850.30

Propane                                     $     4,630.00

Enbridge                                    $      2,249.76

Other                                           $      2,489.79

North Wellington Power            $         470.00

The program also helps with Municipal sewer and water bills.

Municipal Sewer & Water total $15,641.77