Emergency home heating funding still available

Salvation Army officials in Charlottetownand Summerside saythere is still money left in the emergency home heating program.

The money for the provincially-funded program would usually be long gone by now,as would private donations earmarked for heating assistance.

Captain Jamie Locke of the Salvation Army in Charlottetown saidso far this year 186 families have been helped with oil, electricityor wood pellet costs.

He saidthey still have enough money to help another 71 families through the government funding and another 43 families through donations from the public.

"While it hasbeen severe and we've had some severe storms and some cold weather in recent months, it was a slower approach to winter," said Locke.

"I guess that has helped people to stretch out their dollars and to keep their homes warm."

Locke believes lower prices for heating oil have also helped.

The money will continue to be distributed to families who need help with heating costs throughout the year, as long as there is money, he said.

Salvation Army officials in Summersidereportthey have close to $10,000 left in the funding for emergency home heating.