Westerly Area Rest Meals Inc. this month kicked off a new campaign for helping residents heat their homes this winter. The nonprofit’s volunteer coordinator, Leah Eagan-Stoddard, took a few minutes this week to tell Providence Business News about the state of housing in Westerly.
PBN: How are heating and energy costs going to affect Rhode Islanders this winter?
EAGAN-STODDARD: When the cost of heating the home uncontrollably exceeds Rhode Island families’ budget expectations, the pressure radiates outward, affecting purchasing power in other areas. That is to say that people cut out extraneous draws on their income. They go out to dinner less, [participate in] less gaming, drop gym memberships and cut travel. Those employed as servers, casino employees, trainers and travel agents see their industries – and by extension, their personal finances – suffer. When trimming the extras doesn’t work, people move to more extreme measures, including going without heat and hot water, paying only some or none of their bills each month and living with less food. In short, the rise of utility expenses can, and does, force people to prioritize their basic human needs.
PBN: In dealing with those issues, does the population of Westerly differ from Providence’s population?
EAGAN-STODDARD: Oil and gas are expensive no matter where you live. One of the different challenges in Westerly versus Providence is, arguably, access to employment. As a seasonal region, Westerly has a high proportion of service-industry jobs. These jobs are classically low-paying so greater Westerly sees a large ratio of individuals and families working at poverty wages.
Additionally, there are fewer large, local employers and less access to public transportation. These factors combined make for a more compromised work force when dealing with spikes in expenses.
PBN: What is WARM’s “A Dollar Makes a Difference” campaign?
EAGAN-STODDARD: The WARM Shelter provides emergency shelter, long-term supported housing, a community soup kitchen, clothing assistance and critical needs support in the greater Westerly-Pawcatuck area. Over the summer months we began to see the usage of all of our services increase. Considering that heating costs are up 40 percent from last year and that the average home will pay in excess of $3,000 to heat their homes this winter, we knew we had to take action to offset the looming home-utilities crisis.
The campaign was designed specifically and exclusively for utilities assistance. Also important, this campaign was designed with this strangled economy in mind. The concept is that during the winter months, participants contribute one dollar [per] week. That’s it. From Oct. 1 to March 1, or [for] 22 weeks, we are seeking participation from as many individuals as possible to pool collective resources to affect change.
One dollar, once a week does not feel like a lot for anyone to give. When you compound your one dollar with your neighbors’ dollars, with their neighbors’ dollars over the course of 22 weeks, you have a heating assistance fund that truly makes a difference.
PBN: Will this year be worse than previous years for families fighting to stay in their homes?
EAGAN-STODDARD: Undoubtedly this year will be far more challenging for families to stay in their homes. This year, there are fewer jobs, increased mortgage payments and across-the-board increases in cost of living. Any family already facing struggles may find that the cost to heat their homes on top of other rising expenses will lead to default and foreclosure.
PBN: Aside from local businesses, where else is WARM seeking funding?
EAGAN-STODDARD: The Dollar Makes Difference campaign is supported by local places of worship, businesses (some using payroll deduction), community centers, schools and individuals. The simplicity and ease of this campaign makes it accessible while not creating competing demands on people’s already limited charitable donations. We are seeking participation from anyone with $1 to contribute.
Westerly Area Rest Meals Inc., a 21-year-old nonprofit based in Westerly, seeks to provide care and service to the homeless and needy. Additional information, including details on the Dollar Makes a Difference campaign, can be found at www.warmshelter.org.
