BRUNSWICK — It is not quite halfway into the heating season and already 107 households have requested and received fuel assistance. This is more than 60 percent of last year’s total of 173 households, comprised of over 450 individuals.

Warm Thy Neighbor is a local heating assistance program serving Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Durham, Lisbon and Lisbon Falls.

Donations have been strong, but the increased demand and high cost of fuel have added pressure to the budget. Other sources of federal and state assistance have come in well below prior year levels, putting greater demand on private sources such as Warm Thy Neighbor, a program of Tedford Housing.

Executive director Craig Phillips reports that “some folks have not had heat for several days before they call. Sometimes they have resorted to very unsafe means to try to keep warm.”

Elderly people living alone, mothers with small children and disabled adults are the majority of those receiving assistance.

Private giving is the primary source of funds for Warm Thy Neighbor. Individuals, churches, community groups, service organizations and businesses provide donations.

For information about requesting heating assistance, call Tina at 729-1161, ext. 112. To make a donation, mail to Warm Thy Neighbor, c/o Tedford Housing, P.O. Box 958, Brunswick Maine 04011.

For more information, contact Craig Phillips at 729-1161, ext. 102, craig@tedfordhousing.org or visit tedfordhousing.org.