GBAM Interfaith Fuel Fund
IFF
The Interfaith Fuel Fund (IFF) is an assistance program to help those of Waldo County in need of help with fuel during the heating season.
Those in need of help with fuel must first get an appointment date set up with HEAP, then go to their town office to see if there are any funds there to help them. If the town office cannot help, they will provide a letter stating so. The individual then is to take the HEAP appointment date and the letter from their town to the Belfast United Methodist Church during office hours: Monday - Thursday from 9:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
An application will be completed and if it is found the individual is truly in need, they will receive 100 gallons of fuel to be paid for by the IFF account. It is very important that if someone finds they are nearly out of fuel, they must act quickly. If they wait until they are completely out, then the fuel line needs to be bled at a cost of $75-$85 for an emergency trip; a cost that the churches cannot afford to make.. Also, depending on the location of the home, the delivery truck may not be scheduled to be there for a number of days. Households can receive assistance of 100 gallons of fuel only once during the heating season.
During the heating season of 2007-2008 we assisted 89 households with fuel. So far during this season(2008- end of February 2009) we have assisted colse to 70 households so far with still a log way to go before warm weather comes around. With the cost of the fuel and kerosene being much higher this season than last we needed $44,628.00 to pay for the gallons we reserved to help those in need. To date through fundraisers and private donations, we have collected $42,769.00.
With the price of fuel so high the churches find themselves having to have fundraisers to help support the IFF account. We will be continuing the fundraising efforts even after we meet our goal as the next heating season will be here before we know it.
If you want to help, you can give a donation through any of the churches listed below. You can make a deposit directly into the Interfaith Fuel Fund at any Bangor Savings Bank. Just make your check or money order out to GBAM Interfaith Fuel Fund, or take cash directly to the bank.
March 10th, 2009
We have met our goal! What an AWESOME GOD we serve!! Our work for this heating season is complete. To date we have assisted 70 households and that could not have been done but for everyone's dedication and hard work. What great things can be done when we pull together! May we express our gratitude to all who have contributed. We are still accepting donations which will be put aside to help with the fuel and kerosene for the 2009-2010 heating season. Thank you once again. Peace, Pastor Dave Abbott and Betty York- Co-coordinators of the Interfaith Fuel Fund
Belfast Area Friends, Charles Biebel, 525-3530
Belfast United Methodist Church, 23 Mill Lane, Belfast, Pastor David Abbott, 338-5575
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Lincolnville Ave.,Belfast (Karen Caswell, 125 Union St., 338-4831)
First Baptist Church, 95 High St., Belfast, Pastors Ken & Pat Parker, 338-2544
First Church, 8 Court St., Belfast, Pastors Kate Winters & Joel Krueger, 338-2282
First Congregational Church, 8 Church St., Searsport, Pastor Arlin Larson, 548-6599
Frankfort Congregational Church, 42 Main St., Frankfort, Lawrence Brassbridge, 223-4600
Grace Tabernacle, Atlantic Ave., Northport, Pastor Harvey Thurston, 975-0245
Holy Light Church, 173 Cedar St., Belfast, Pastor Tom Ventura, 338-4363
Searsport & North Searsport UMC, Main St., Searsport, Pastor Stephen MacLeod, 548-2239
St. Francis of Assisi, 81 Court St., Belfast, Father Joe Koury, 338-4433
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St., Belfast, Father Kent Tarpley, 338-2412
Unitarian Universalist Church, 36 Miller St., Belfast, Pastor Pam Gross, 338-4482
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