As the dog days of summer wind down, the Outreach firewood and winter heating programs ramp up to help clients keep their families warm in winter. Some of our clients heat solely with wood while some use a combination of wood and central heat or electric heaters. Clients are eligible to receive a truckload of wood once per month and an electric heater once every two years. Clients can also receive help with power bills three times per year. This three-pronged approach helps our clients to leverage their utility dollars and continue to put food on the table when the budget is stretched.

Thanks to the Tryon First Baptist Church, we have two powerful wood splitters and consistent manpower to fill the shed with wood all winter. Thanks to the Tryon Presbyterian “Adopt-a-Heater” initiative, we were able to purchase oil-filled, radiator style heaters that are safer and more energy efficient. Thanks to the Duke Energy Share-the-Warmth program, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina People-in-Need grant, the Polk County Community Foundation, and private donors, we are able to provide financial assistance for utility bills.

While we could not operate these programs without a community of volunteers and donors, we still need help with wood splitting on the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon here at Outreach. Youth groups, church groups, civic organizations, and individuals are encouraged to commit to one or two Saturdays per year. Please contact Barb Powell at 828-894-2988 or barb.powell@tboutreach.org to sign up.