As winter approaches, many in our community are worrying about the high costs of heating fuels and how they will be able to afford to stay warm this winter season. As a vendor for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), you can help by making these funds more readily available to struggling families and individuals.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program designed to help needy individuals and families meet their home heating cost during the winter months. It is administered locally through the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program.

LIHEAP is scheduled to begin on November 6, and will continue through March 2007, depending on funding availability. This program is designed to assist low-income families with their heating costs. More than 10,000 households were assisted during the previous program year.

As a vendor, you have an opportunity to increase your business and provide a much needed service for low-income people of our area. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, attend the Vendor Meeting in your county to receive more information. Vendor meetings are scheduled as follows:

Floyd County, October 19, 10 a.m., Community Services Office, 313 Westminster Street, Prestonsburg, KY 41653; Johnson County, October 23, 10 a.m., Paintsville Community Center, Painsville, KY 41240; Magoffin County, October 13, 10 a.m., Community Services Office, 131 South Church Street, Salyersville, KY 41240; Martin County, October 20, 10 a.m., Community Services Office, Roy F. Collier Community Center, 1200 Main Street, Inez, KY 41224; Pike County, October 18, 1 p.m., Community Services Office, 478 Town Mountain Road, Pikeville, KY 41501.