The November 17th
City Council Agenda
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Donations requested for dwindling utility assistance funds

COLUMBIA, MO (November 6, 2008)

The Office of Community Services continues to receive hundreds of calls each month from people requesting assistance through the CASH and HELP utility assistance programs. These programs help low-income seniors; the disabled and families with children pay their utility bills. Funding for these programs comes entirely from customer donations and has been running out within the first few days of the month, which means a large number of people are turned away.

Due to the significant number of people needing assistance, utility customers are being asked to donate more than they usually would to the CASH and HELP programs. Both the city of Columbia and Boone Electric are sending out donation slips with the November utility bill return envelope. All donations go directly to helping those in need and are tax-deductible. For more information about donating to the CASH or HELP programs, please call the city of Columbia at 874-7380 and Boone Electric at 449-4181.

According to Rebecca Roesslet, social services supervisor at the Office of Community Services, an average of 750 households call each month requesting assistance.

“Right now, we’re only able to help about 90 Boone County families each month”, she said. Roesslet feels that the slumping economy, rising utility rates and cuts to social service programs have forced many people to ask for utility assistance.

Roesslet appreciates the generosity of utility customers, but reminds residents “there are more people who need help." "

Any extra amount people can give would be truly appreciated by our neighbors here in Boone County.”