The Easton town council heard a sobering report from two leaders of the Neighborhood Service Center about a pending crisis in seniors and low-income households’ ability to afford heating costs this winter. Executive Director Marilyn Neal and MEAP/EUSP Director Cardeaner Robinson presented the realities and consequences of a drop in state assistance funding to the council.
The primary source of help for those struggling with high energy costs for many years, the state-funded Maryland Energy Assistance Program, has seen dramatic cuts in their budget, leading to a 70% decrease in kerosene benefits, a 75% decrease in heating fuel, and propane, and a 50% decrease in electric subsidies.
This has left many struggling to afford heating costs, with the Neighborhood Service Center already exhausted 85% of its funding to fill the gap.
The NSC has requested $50,000 in support from the town to help alleviate the crisis.
This highlight video is approximately 13 minutes in length.
Hal De Bona says
I’m wondering whatever happened to “Leave no one behind.”