We just got an email from Lynn Battle over at Washington Gas announcing the launch of the new Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) web site. The WAFF pays for all types of fuel to heat the homes of people in financial need. During the past five years, the fund has given an average of approximately $870,000 annually to area residents.
The main focus of the site is making it easier for people to give online donations. You can now give as little as $5 through the web site. The site also gives other ways for you to make your donations. These donations are going to become increasingly important as it’s been an especially cold winter already.
These types of programs are critical for people. Especially since the FY2011 budget request to Congress asked for $3.3 billion ($2.51 billion in regular funding and $790,000 in contingency funding) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), down from the $5.1 billion that was provided in the current FY2010 appropriation.
Some more history on the fund. The WAFF was established in 1983 by Washington Gas and The Salvation Army. Since then, the WAFF has disbursed more than $19.5 million to more than 232,0000 people helping keep the homes of area residents warm during the winter. That’s a lot of help. If you have a chance drop by the new site and make a donation if you can.
