With the Need Greater Than Ever Before, Construct Inc. Starts Its Annual Warm Up the Winter Campaign
The Berkshire Edge / Shaw Israel Izikson
“For 19 years, Construct Inc. has held its Warm Up the Winter campaign to raise funds for the local nonprofit’s programs. This year, the need is greater than ever, according to Executive Director Joey Lindstrom, as more residents struggle to pay for heat and utilities.
“When it comes to the current situations South County residents are facing, there are two things that are really important to be aware of,” Lindstrom told The Berkshire Edge. “The first thing is that there hasn’t been any increase in federal support through the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program. The support that many people rely on through subsidies have not gone up. There was also a delay in that funding getting out to residents in need because of the prolonged government shutdown that recently happened.”
“The other thing is that costs for electricity, fuel, and other utilities have all gone up considerably,” he said. “It is very clear and obvious that this is one of the coldest and more severe winters that we’ve experienced in Berkshire County in many years. The need is rising in many ways, and the federal subsidy support has not been rising to meet these needs. That presents a gap that Construct needs to fill through our Warm Up the Winter campaign.”
Construct provides affordable housing and supportive services to 17 towns in Berkshire County. Its programs include emergency financial assistance, rental assistance, help with transitional housing, and microloans for fuel and utility bills, security deposits, and other various costs relating to housing.
Last year’s campaign aimed to raise $125,000, but because of increased need, Lindstrom said the organization has raised its goal to $150,000 for this year’s campaign.”