“I never thought I would be in
this situation. ” — CCWVa client
As many of the costs associated with running a household continue to increase, a number of our fellow West Virginians are struggling to pay their rising utility bills. Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) Outreach office in Grafton houses one of the agencies eleven food pantries, and more recently is able to provide financial assistance to clients who have received a utility termination notice. Clients must have documentation of the termination and meet program criteria to be eligible for assistance.
Often it is difficult for clients to ask for assistance. Many have simply found themselves in a tight spot financially due to unforeseen circumstances such as an illness or emergency car repair, and cannot keep up with utility payments. Many clients are also on fixed incomes.
One client stated, “When the rates keep going up, and social security doesn’t, how am I supposed to pay for everything? I never thought I would be in this situation.” Some in our communities have been forced to choose
between paying a utility bill and paying for prescriptions.
CCWVa’s outreach office in Grafton is located inside St. Augustine Parish at 17 West Washington Street and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Utility assistance is offered 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and food pantry hours are 9:00 am – 2:30 pm; the office is closed from noon to 1:00 pm for lunch. Those with questions or in need of assistance may call (304) 265-3091.
