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Welcome to HCCA's Newsletter
February 2010
Volume 3, Issue 4
Newsletter goal: provide local community members with resources to connect with others and improve lives.
Newsletter Focus: Staying Warm and Active this Winter.
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Board of Directors
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Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick, Chair
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Secretary
Mark Yerrick
Joanne Joy, Director
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HCCA Towns
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Augusta
Chelsea
Farmingdale
Fayette
Gardiner
Hallowell
Litchfield
Manchester
Monmouth
Mount Vernon
Pittston
Randolph
Readfield
Richmond
Vienna
Wayne
West Gardiner
Windsor
Winthrop
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Local Farmers Markets Remain Open This Winter!!
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Gardiner Farmer's Market -1st and 3rd Weds. - 2-6 p.m. Episcopal Church on the Common
SNAP/Food Stamp Cards accepted
Augusta Farmer's Market, Mill Park l- Tuesday from 3-4:30 p.m., weather permitting
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| Warming Center Opens in Augusta |
 As of January 16th, there is a place for those in need to stay warm from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday at Augusta's new Warming Center, located at 70 State Street in the former Elim Church Building. The Lithgow Library has donated some books
for reading to pass the time and pictured above are volunteers delivering a TV for movie watching.
The Warming Center offers hot an d cold beverages, games and comfy
couches and chairs, all donated by local businesses and citizens. The center is simply a
clean place to get out of the weather, sit, relax, use the restrooms and get warm! Shown here are some dry good items donated for the kitchen.
The Warming Center is currently supported by the United Way through Bread of Life and will have one staff member, and one volunteer. Pictured below are just some of the community members and organizations that pooled resources and energy to make this dream a reality. For more information call 626.3434; to contribute goods contact Jeannie at 242-7085; if you are interested in volunteering your time, skills, or services call Dot at 607-3725. Thank you!
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Need Heating Assistance? Call 2-1-1 First
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One of Maine's greatest resources, 2-1-1, is the first source to check for heating and related assistance!
Governor Baldacci has designated this as the single point of entry for
heating assistance. 2-1-1 is a telephone number that connects people
24/7 with important community services and volunteer opportunities.
Trained individuals answer the phone and assist with requests.
Every
day hundreds of people need essential human services - they are looking
for training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent,
addiction prevention programs for their teenage children, affordable
housing options, support groups, home heating assistance and more, as
well as ways of becoming part of their community. 2-1-1 allows people
to give help and to get help.
Although there is a 211 website at www.211maine.org, people are urged to call the phone number. It's simple- just dial 211.
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Every Day Basics Free at St Marks Church Every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
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Citizens Energy Fuel 2010 Program
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Citizens Energy's Fuel Assistance Program is available again this year. The program will take applications January 12 through February 26, 2010. Customers can apply during that time period only by calling 1-877-563-4645 or through this link to their website. Those qualifying for fuel assistance in Maine will
meet program guidelines, but interested customers still need to apply. Dealers have until
April 30, 2010 to complete all deliveries.
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Heat up Your Palate And Your Neighbors
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You can warm your insides and contribute to the Heat Fund for Hallowell when you attend the Chili Challenge on Saturday, February 20th at 5 pm at the Hallowell Cox Memorial Church. If you have a chili you would like to submit for the contest, or for more information, call Don at 446-7743.
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Nutritious Foods Warm Body and Soul
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HCCA has information about nutritious foods that keep the body well fueled through these cold Maine winters. For more information, please contact Amy Wagner, 588-5019 awagner@mcd.org |
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Eat Well Program |
This program for healthy eating is free to food stamp eligible individuals and families.
You will learn:
- How to stretch food dollars
- New recipes for healthy meals
- How to prepare great snacks
- Meal planning for busy people
- Cooking skills
- Favorite recipes made healthy
- How to keep foods safe
- Tips for a healthy lifestyle
For more information contact Jane Allen, Nutrition Associate, at the Kennebec County Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-287-1481 or 622-7546. You can also find information at the Cooperative Extension website: http://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/eat-well/
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Highlight on Spectrum Generations -Supporting Your Good Health
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TOPS Program
William S. Cohen Community Center in Hallowell invites the general public to find out how they can sensibly lose and maintain their weight by attending this program Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Weekly meetings encourage wellness through a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, exercise and on-going encouragement and support. The first meeting is free and then the weekly cost to attend is $2 per session with yearly TOPS dues of $26.00. For more information about this TOPS Chapter, call Spectrum Generations (Maggie or Kristin) at 626-7777
Food Bank for low-income people age 60 or older in the southern Kennebec area
Spectrum Generations is in the planning stage of coordinating this effort. Low income people 60 years of age and older can pick up 30 pounds of food per month from an Augusta location to be selected. For more information, and to apply for this program, contact Linda Johnson at 626-7777.
Living Well Leader Training:
Leader Training for the Living Well program is being held at the Maine Primary Care Association in Augusta on March 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th. There are openings for six trainees. The training is FREE! Please contact Vicki at 207-623-0764 ext. 126 or by e-mail at vfoster@spectrumgenerations.org
Thanks to Spectrum Generations for sending us this information for publication.
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Applying for Heating Assistance With LIHEAP
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To schedule an interview call (207)622-4761 or (207)859-1500
LIHEAP
helps both homeowners and renters with their heating costs. Household
income must be lower than 200% of the poverty level. (This equals about
$2,334 per month for a family of 2.) If anyone in the household is over
age 60, below age 2, or has a health condition that puts them at risk
of hypothermia then the income limit can be higher - 230% of poverty
level. (This equals about $2,684 per month for a family of 2.)
If heat
is included in your rent, you can still get help. If you apply and get
even a little bit of help, then your monthly Food Supplement benefit
may go up. If you get LIHEAP then you may also get lower electric rates.
You apply for LIHEAP through your local Community Action Program. Bring the following to the interview:
1. Proof of income
2. Name of your heating vendor (who sells you oil, for instance)
3. Your CMP account number - you may be eligible for assistance
4. Your telephone number.
5. Your Social Security number
Once you are accepted for the LIHEAP program, you may be able to receive the following programs if needed:
Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
You
can get this help once per heating season for emergency fuel or to
avoid electricity cut-off. You must get LIHEAP to get ECIP.
Weatherization and Furnace Repair or Replacement (CHIP)
This
program gives grants to home owners and renters for weatherization and
0r repair or replacement of central heating systems The guidelines are
the same as LIHEAP
Where to apply:
Your local Kennebec Valley Community Action Agency in:
Augusta: 622-4761; Skowhegan: 474-8487; Waterville: 859-1500
Did you know...
LIHEAP and other Heat Helper funds can also pay for wood. KVCAP has a list of approved wood dealers.
Applications for LIHEAP are accepted until April 30th this year.
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Tips for When Energy/Heating Needs Arise
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If you or someone you know is in need of heating assistance this season remember:
- Dialing 211 is the first resource for locating help.
- Most towns and cities have a general assistance program, contact your town office.
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if a disconnect notice arrives in the mail, do not ignore it, call CMP
immediately. This call triggers a report to the Public Utilities
Commission (PUC). The case then is reviewed and the electricity will
stay on in most cases at least through the review.
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| Thank you for your time and attention. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in supporting your southern Kennebec communities' quality of life!
We hope you found the information presented here useful and informative. Please send comments and suggestions for improvement to the contact information below.
Sincerely,
Joanne E.A. Joy, Director Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Karen Tucker, Project Coordinator
All our newsletters are permission only. You are receiving this because we have an established relationship with you. If you do not want to receive future newsletters, please activate the "safeunsubscribe"link at the end of the newsletter. |
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Healthy Communities of the Capital Area towns are:
Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Richmond, Vienna, Wayne, West Gardiner, Windsor, Winthrop
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