Heating grants burned through before winter’s end

With the need in the region for power and heating costs higher than ever before, Fifeshire Foundation’s $60,000 Winter Grants Programme has closed early with all funds spent by mid-July.

“The need was more than we have ever seen before in winter,” Fifeshire Foundation kaiwhakahaere (executive officer) Shanine Hermsen says.

The programme is focused on heating costs, firewood or power bills, where people can receive up to $500 per application.

Shanine says that nominations for support “came flooding in” when they opened in May and the demand has stayed constant.

“We are hearing that people feel they have to turn off their heating or not re-fill wood supplies due to the hardship being faced, from cost of living to other challenges, the needs in the community are tough and turbulent in the current environment.”

They have now set up a Givealittle campaign targeted for just this winter and for the remaining 60 applicants who now sit on a waiting list for support. Through this, they are looking to raise $30,000 before the end of August.

“We’ve got stories of people who literally can’t put the heating on in winter because they can’t afford it, so they just stay cold and get the blankets out,” Shanine told Nelson App at the start of the winter season.

Applications for firewood or power costs, as well as the other hardship support Fifeshire Foundation provides, can still be made via the organisation’s monthly application process.

Shanine says they are grateful for support for the programme from OneFortyOne, Whakatū Rotary and working with Anglican Care to support over 60s with winter grants.

“We would like this to be a temporary closure and we’re hoping the community will agree with us and get behind helping whanau struggling to pay winter energy costs.”

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