TIFTON — Through the winter season, having working heat can be essential as temperatures drop. But for many poor or no-income households in Georgia, the choice between paying for heat and other necessities often leaves them going without a warm home. However, one organization provides a way for people of the community to give back and help pay for heating in these households. 

Heating Energy Assistance Team, Inc., or HEAT, is a non-profit organization that provides energy assistance to Georgians in need, regardless of the energy used. This includes natural gas, propane, electricity, oil, wood, coal or other types of energy sources.

Last winter, 60 households in Tift and surrounding counties were served with $20,379 in energy assistance funds from heat, according to Shelley-Ann Williams, administrative assistant at HEAT, Inc.

HEAT also provided more than $741,00 in energy assistance last winter to Georgians all over the state. Approximately 34 percent of this energy assistance went to households with senior citizens, 33 percent went to families with children, and another 33 percent went to disabled households. Of these households, approximately 52 percent had a limited income, 22 percent were working poor to low wages, and 24 percent had no income.

However, help is still needed in making sure Georgians have access to the energy they need.

“The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) reported nearly 38,000 eligible homes did not receive assistance in 2016 due to lack of funding, according to Williams. DFCS also reported one in every five residents lives in poverty based on the 2016 population and many low-income families pay up to 30 percent of their income on utilities.”

To donate to HEAT, there are a few options. One can donate money online at heatga.org or mail their contributions to HEAT, Inc. P.O. Box 451008 Atlanta, Ga 31145.

According to Williams, HEAT is also currently seeking volunteers for its HEAT Ambassadors Program, which helps spread awareness about HEAT and the need for energy assistance as well as raising funds in their local area. For more information about becoming a volunteer or about making monetary contributions, residents can contact HEAT at info@heatga.org or by phone at 678-406-0212.

City of Tifton utilities customers can also call 229-391-3957 for questions about donating to HEAT.