The Church Utilities Relief Board, or CURB, may not have the funding that it used to have, but its services are more relevant than ever.
The program is a supplemental service meant to aid those who are behind with their utility payments, especially during the harsh winter months.
“We usually help out eight to 10 families per month from October to March,” Iola Area Ministerial Association President Phil Honeycutt said.
The program is funded through private donations, church donations and occasional contributions from the Salvation Army. He said the funds have slowed in the past few years — the program used to receive some federal funds from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Allen County was not approved for the funds in 2012, but Honeycutt said the paperwork is being done to apply for the grants in 2013.
Through donations, CURB received $4,800 in September, which is much lower than many previous months. He said tough economic situations have led to dwindling funds over the past couple years.
CURB is meant to help those who are willing to help themselves, he said. They generally distribute money to families who are going to maintain their payments once they get back on their feet. The maximum donation is set at $150. However, he said there are always exceptions to the rule. The program takes into consideration the employment situation of the family, whether there are children in the home and the quality of the house.
“It (CURB) influences a small amount of people, but to those people it has been a tremendous help,” Honeycutt said. “Without it some people wouldn’t have utilities, children wouldn’t have heat and the parents wouldn’t be able to cook.”
The program has not gone into full swing yet, because of the unseasonably warm weather. But Honeycutt anticipates the program will go into full effect as the temperatures drop.
Honeycutt said Allen County’s housing situation is oftentimes to blame for the increase in demand for utility assistance. Adequate weatherization of some of the older homes is lacking and the structures do not hold heat well.
“We don’t have a lot of selection in Iola, people’s choices are limited,” Honeycutt said of housing options.
The CURB program is always in need of support. Donations typically come through drives organized by area churches. He said people need to change their perspective toward poverty, and realize that everyone needs a little encouragement sometimes.
“People could be mindful that some people don’t have a life as pleasant as the rest of us, especially during the holidays,” Honeycutt said.
Honeycutt said people sometimes label others as lazy or unmotivated when they rely on programs to support their families, but that is an attitude that he thinks is very one-sided. He said the program relies on the good faith of others, which it needs now more than ever. But the program is still being funded, and that is all that matters.
“We never advertise, God just places it on people’s hearts,” Honeycutt said. “CURB is one of those unknown heroes in the community.”
Pantry sees decline in utility relief
