FARMINGTON — The Henderson Memorial Baptist Church will again give away hot dogs after the Fourth of July parade. This year the parade will be held on Saturday, July 3, to avoid Sunday morning conflicts.

The grills will be fired up and the hot dogs will be free. The church will be accepting donations for the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund at the hot dog table. Coordinator, the Rev. Susan Crane, will be on hand to provide information about the heating fund, which provided 11,000 gallons of fuel to 222 households throughout Franklin County during the 2009-10 heating season, at a total cost of $46,025.

Money for the fund is raised by churches, service organizations, businesses and many donations from individuals. Gifts made by check are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged. Gifts may be sent to ECU HEAT, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938.

“The need is particularly urgent this year,” said Crane. “The fund is down to $8,800 at the moment and 75 percent of the annual need for fuel assistance occurs during October and November. Without a miracle, there may well be families going cold this fall.”

Once December arrives, LIHEAP federal dollars will be available for those who qualify, but until then the Ecumenical Heating Fund is often the only source of help. Those seeking fuel assistance can access help by calling Western Maine Community Action at 645-3764 and ask for fuel assistance. Eligibility for federal funds is determined first. Every effort is made to authorize a fuel delivery for those in need, utilizing whatever funds are available.

The Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund is closed for the summer and will reopen on Oct. 1. Only 50 gallon deliveries will be able to be authorized this fall, due to the limited funds available. More than $20,000 in foundation money from outside sources bolstered the fund last year, but most of those grants were nonrenewable. The need in the community, however, continues to be significant, said Crane.