Although it has not been a particularly cold winter so far, we still have a lot of winter left.

During the past two winters, our city hunkered down January through March as we were slammed with intense snowstorms and some severely cold weather for this region of the country.

Maybe we will be lucky this year and be spared from the large amounts of snow and frigid temperatures we’ve seen in years past, but in Kentucky there is simply no way to predict what Mother Nature will bring. 

Having said that, we all need to be prepared for large swaths of snow and bitter temperatures should they materialize this winter.

Most people have all they need to get by when conditions and temperatures are unfavorable. Unfortunately, some people simply don’t have the means to acquire the necessary resources. They need our help and we should give it to them without hesitation.

One such organization that is helping households in home heating crises is Community Action of Southern Kentucky. Community Action’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which runs on a first-come, first-served basis, helps people who are within 130 percent of the national poverty guidelines. Those eligible must bring Social Security cards for everyone in their home, previous months’ income for everyone in the home over 18 and a past due disconnect notice. Other criteria include that the household is within four days of running out of fuel if they use bulk fuel such as coal, fuel oil, propane, kerosene, or wood as the heat source; has received a past due/disconnect notice if natural gas or electric is the heat source or heating costs are included as an undesignated portion of the rent and the household has received an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent from the landlord. Prepaid electric customers are eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance if they certify that they have 10 days or less of prepaid electric remaining. 

Last year, LIHEAP served 4,560 households in the 10-county region. Of those, 1,170 households were in Warren County. More than 8,000 applications were taken for the service.

The program will last until the funding runs out. 

This is a worthwhile program that benefits many, as evidenced by the number of people who applied for it.

In the final analysis, no family should have to endure a day without heat. We are a compassionate and giving community. Organizations such as Community Action prove it.

We urge those who are in need of heat this winter to get involved in this program, for their families’ sake.