Fireside Fund keeps single Sumter mother's heat on after total income loss due to COVID-19
Many Americans may have received another stimulus check, but with other benefits expiring and the sustained hardship COVID-19 has caused, Kevin Howell is still seeing many left without options to sustain vital expenses.
Howell, the director of Sumter United Ministries' Crisis Relief Ministry, works to help clients in need of basic necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing and financial support to prevent them from losing services and their home.
Each winter, The Sumter Item's Fireside Fund collects money from readers to be donated to the ministry with the narrow focus of heating help. Donations are used for bill pay, final notice payments, kerosene vouchers and other solutions that keep Sumterites' heat on during these coldest months.
"Recently, a single mother in her 30s visited the Crisis Relief Ministry. She has shared custody of her children, so she does not receive any financial support for her children," Howell said. "She commuted 30 minutes one way for the same job for 10 years before COVID-19 finally closed the business due to a lack of customers."
Howell said the woman was frustrated by the lack of aid she was eligible for through her income shortfall. She barely overqualified for a state-initiated program that would have provided financial assistance.
By how much? $30.
She was denied unemployment benefits. She failed to recertify her SNAP benefits and lost those in late December. She is completely without income.
"She arrived at Sumter United Ministries concerned about her rent and electric, both of which are well behind. The electric bill was the account that was most dire, and only a small window of time was available to prevent disconnection," Howell said. "She cried in the office at the thought of having a cold house for her daughter if her electricity was disconnected.
"We were able to pay the full final notice and keep the utility connected so that she can heat her home. She felt immediate relief and was thankful. Thank you for continuing to support Sumter United Ministries for the Fireside Fund."
New donations as of Jan. 19: Melanie, Debra and Judi, in memory of our parents, Giles and Daphne Mendenhall, $145.15; Julian Hill, $100; Joanne Morris, in memory of Hubert D. Osteen Jr.; $50; Charlie Pitts, in honor of Heather Paul, $25; Gail Medley, in memory of Porter Medley Jr., $100; Virginia Evans, in memory of DeLeon Evans and Mr. and Mrs. Grady Fincher, $100; and in memory of Mrs. J.C. Pate, $20.