Church support sought in winter
The United Way's Butler Emergency Relief Initiative is seeking churches to help spread the gift of warmth this winter.
BERI is asking for church members or groups to assist in weatherproofing homes in the county.
“We decided to help with any kind of weatherization of homes as we go into the winter months,” said Kierston Hobaugh, executive director of the United Way of Butler County.
“What we plan is for the BERI to assist with the cost of the weatherization materials, and then the actual work to be done by some of the local faith-based organizations or churches,” Hobaugh said.
Hobaugh said the BERI was created in 2005 when many people displaced by Hurricane Katrina arrived in the county.
“BERI focused on utility payments, and we see a jump in that during the winter months,” said Hobaugh.
“Now we're turning to the weatherization, sealing off windows and doors to prevent air flow from coming through to cause heating bills,” she said.
People seeking weatherization aid should contact Haley Merchant, community outreach manager at the Center for Community Resources at 724-431-3748.
Merchant said, “I do believe there is a list of churches that will be provided to us. We will provide the churches with consumer information, and they will reach out to the callers.”
Merchant said the Center for Community Resources hasn't received a list of churches or church groups as yet, but applicants for weatherization will be put together with weatherization volunteers as soon as possible.
The volunteers or church groups will contact the applicants to do the weatherization work, Merchant said.
“There is no cutoff date but with a huge influx, we might have to adjust that slightly,” said Merchant.
“Right now, we have left the guidelines pretty wide open. We just want to see people assisted in keeping their heating costs at a reasonable level and not getting into an emergency situation where they run out of money and can't pay their bills,” said Merchant.
BERI is funded by grants and donations, she said, and people can earmark their donations to BERI.
Hobaugh said for the fiscal year 2014-15, BERI assisted 68 families financially.
Hobaugh said the BERI board is looking for pastors who would like to be part of the initiative. Those interested in being on the BERI board should contact Hobaugh at United Way.
The BERI partnership includes United Way of Butler County, Community Action Association of Butler County, Butler County Human Services, Salvation Army service units, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and many churches in the faith-based community; program providers including Center for Community Resources and the Housing Authority of Butler County, as well as many other partners including public utilities, deliverable fuel providers and the Area Agency on Aging.
For churches and groups looking to volunteer workers: United Way, 724-285-4883For those seeking weatherization: Center for Community Resources, 724-431-3748
