There are a lot of people struggling right now to make ends meet, often, having to decide which bills they can afford to pay. It can be terrifying knowing you do not have enough money to pay your utility bills, especially in the cold winter months.
That’s where THAW, The Heat and Warmth Fund, wants to step in to help people in crisis pay a utility bill.
In fact, there could be someone in your life, a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, someone you see at the grocery store or church who is struggling to keep their lights and heat on this winter.
That’s why Local 4 is teaming up with THAW for the Go 4 It: Gift of Warmth Telethon on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. All of the money raised will help people in our community who are struggling to keep the lights or heat on this winter.
THAW says more than 80 cents of every dollar donated goes to direct services and programs. The Heat and Warmth Fund helps pay to keep the lights, heat and water on and historically 75 percent of one-time payment customers assisted in one year have not returned for assistance the following year.
About 70 percent of families helped by THAW have children, seniors or veterans living in their homes.
The number to call between 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday is 1-888-579-4950. THAW staff and volunteers are ready to take your calls. You can also donate online now: Donate to THAW Telethon 2024
The Heat and Warmth program offers wrap-around services in addition to utility assistance to help people get back on track. Programs include it’s Maternal Health Program which offers utility help to pregnant women through the first year of the child’s life.
THAW’s MI Water Program operates in two phases: water bill assistance and minor plumbing, repair and remediation assistance. For more information, click here.
During the last fiscal year, THAW paid over $8.6 million in utility assistance for 11,000 homes. The Heat and Warmth Fund services the entire state of Michigan, including Metro Detroit.