DELHI _ As the home-heating season approaches, the Delhi Fuel Bank is beginning its second year of providing emergency assistance to residents in the Delhi area.
The Delhi Fuel Bank was formed in 2008 in response to the escalating cost of home heating fuel, Committee Chairman Al Davino said Monday. The Delhi Fuel Bank's mission is to assist community members who are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties and require assistance purchasing home heating fuel.
The idea for the Delhi Fuel Bank came about during lunch one day, Davino said.
"We were talking about heating costs going up and our concerns about people who might find themselves without fuel," Davino said. "We said, Gee, let's do something about it.'"
Davino said a group of volunteers formed to deal with the threat high heating costs posed to individuals who wouldn't normally qualify for other assistance programs but who were having a difficult time making ends meet because of an unforeseen circumstance.
"We were looking to help those individuals who might fall through the cracks," Davino said. "Folks who were doing OK, just getting by, and then something awful happens like a disability or a death in the family or the loss of a job and they're overwhelmed by all the bills coming in."
The Delhi Fuel Bank is not intended to duplicate the efforts of programs like the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, Davino said. It is administered by a committee of volunteers and is not associated with any public assistance program or religious entity. Recipients are chosen by the committee based on information provided on an application.
"It's a bunch of people trying to do a good humanitarian thing, and we are in this for the long haul," Davino said.
During the first year, the fuel bank operated primarily on a referral basis.
"We approached a lot of local churches and community officials, and let them know we were around accepting referrals," Davino said. "We helped some senior citizens and a handful of other people, but we are still finding our way."
The Fuel Bank raises money for its efforts through donations and grants. Local community clubs, including the Delhi Rotary Club and the Delhi Women's Club, have provided generous financial assistance and the O'Connor Foundation provided a matching grant.
Although the cost of heating oil and gas is significantly lower this year than last, Davino said the cost is still high and may increase.
"Things have certainly gotten better," he said. "But we're still in a sluggish economy, people are still losing their jobs and winters aren't getting any warmer. There is always going to be a need."
Applications may be obtained at the following Delhi locations: Office for the Aging on Court Street, the Delhi Senior Community Center, The Delhi Diner, and the law offices of Bishop and Hill, all on Main Street.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
