The area’s less fortunate residents will have access to a little extra help this holiday season.

The Polk County Community Foundation recently awarded $3,000 seasonal assistance grants to the Polk County Sheriffs Office and the Tryon Fire Department.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office will use the grant to supplement the Polk County Sheriffs Office Fund for the Needy, which provides assistance through food vouchers and fuel oil vouchers for those in need.

With the winter we had last year, we really feel like a major portion of our funds will end up going toward ensuring citizens have heat. We have already had requests for assistance and donations are down again this year, said Sheriff Donald Hill. &bsp;

This is the second year the PCCF has awarded the grant to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriffs office handles numerous requests during this time of year, offering&bsp; both family assistance and the annual Polk County Toy Run.&bsp;&bsp; The sheriffs fund for the needy is funded solely through donations and is designed to serve citizens throughout the county. Sheriff Hill said donations to both funds are still needed.

Obviously the more money we have, the more people we will be able to help. We are grateful for the assistance the Polk County Community Foundation has given us this year,” Hill said. “Their donation will help us give assistance to as many people as we can. The tough economic times and harsh conditions we had last year really drained our funds. The blanket/coat drive was in large part to help with keeping citizens warm when our fund was nearly depleted.

A large portion of those with needs last year were in the Tryon area, the Polk sheriff’s office said,&bsp; which is why the PCSO joined forces with Tryon Fire Department this year. The combination will allow Tryon to focus on the needs of its citizens, while the sheriff’s office fields requests countywide.

Our job is to provide for citizen safety, sayidTryon Fire Chief Joey Davis. We realized quickly last year just how many needs are in our own fire district. Citizen safety extends beyond fire calls or EMS responses. We strive to be cognizant to all needs of our citizens, and this provides a great opportunity to assist. Once again the Polk County Community Foundation has come to the aid of the citizens of Tryon and the Tryon fire district.

Much like the sheriff’s fund for the needy, Tryons program will focus on fuel and food needs for those in the Tryon fire district.

Those with needs are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriffs Office at 894-3001 or the Tryon Fire Department at 859-9566.