FALMOUTH — With another blast of Arctic air enveloping Maine this week, Town Clerk Ellen Planer would like to remind residents that there’s no reason anyone should suffer without heating fuel.

“If anybody is low on fuel and they’re not going to make it, they should come to see us,” she said.

Planer helps manage Falmouth’s heating assistance fund. Each year, the fund helps about 35 households with $300 to $400 in fuel assistance. Many of the recipients are elderly.

The fund is administered by nonprofit agency Opportunity Alliance, the same group that distributes funds from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Falmouth residents who qualify for LIHEAP may also qualify for additional assistance from the town.

Residents wishing to apply can call Opportunity Alliance at 553-5900 or apply in person at Falmouth Town Hall.

Earlier this month, the Town Council re-upped its annual commitment to the fund by providing $10,000.

The town is also hoping to raise another $10,000 in private donations for the fund. But so far, only $100 has been received, Planer said.

Since the fund was created in 2008, the town has contributed a total of $42,000 to it, with businesses and residents donating an additional $40,000, she noted.

Anyone wishing to help can send donations to Falmouth Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105. Checks should be payable to the Town of Falmouth, but should clearly include the words “fuel assistance” in the memo line.

Ben McCanna can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or bmccanna@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @BenMcCanna.


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