Letter to the Editor:

Editor:

I would like to share a valuable community resource with your readers. Energy Share of Montana is a nonprofit organization whose main purpose is to provide emergency heating assistance to people facing loss of heat or lights in their home due to reasons beyond their control, and who have no resources to pay for it themselves. I sit on the Board of Directors of Energy Share.

Energy Share believes that no one should go without heat in the winter and we do our best to help those facing energy emergencies. We are fuel-blind so we help with any type of heat source (natural gas, electricity, wood, propane etc.). Assistance is usually limited to once every 10 years or so because our resources are limited and because we are not an annual subsidy but more of a hand up for those facing temporary financial difficulties. Energy Share complements the federally-funded energy assistance program, LIEAP, for which we ask people to apply first.

  Energy Share’s funding comes from the private sector — individuals, small businesses, utility companies, electric cooperatives and large electric users.  Decisions on applications are made by local volunteer committees within contractual guidelines. We have been helping Montana families since 1983 and plan to continue that legacy. 

If you or someone you know is in need of energy assistance, or if you would like to help support Energy Share, please contact District IV HRDC in Havre at 406-265-6743, visit http://www.energysharemt.com, or call 1-888-779-7589.

Greg Jergeson

Chinook