Program helps keep the lights on during dark times

Imagine your freezer full of food, you have four school-age children and the temperature is turning cold outside.

The notice comes that your power will be shut off.

Your checkbook reveals you're powerless to do anything about it.

Johnie Lanning, a single grandparent of four children ages 15, 13, 10, and 8, faced that catastrophe.

"It was horrible -- no lights," Lanning said. "You worry about how you're going to get the kids up for school with no alarm.

"I couldn't wash or cook and had a freezer full of food -- I lost everything."

Months passed as Lanning and the children came and went from their darkened home, huddling together in one bed with tomorrow's clothes on as soon as the sun went down.

Then Lanning sought help from the energy assistance program at the Samaritan Center, which paid her bill.

"I didn't believe in (accepting) charity at first," Lanning said. "Now I recommend it to those who are eligible to go.

"I tried to make good on my own. But I made it worse, trying to do all on my own."

Now she is receiving monthly food supplements from the center, as well as taking advantage of the once-a-year energy assistance program.

"There are good people there," Lanning said. "They help you keep your pride."

To manage paycheck to paycheck, Lanning said she would pay a little here and a little there to not fall too far behind in any one area.

But as happens to many people, the utility bill grew faster than she could whittle away at it, Lanning said.

More people are looking for more services, said Ben DeFeo, community outreach supervisor.

"The economy is so low, those who once managed paycheck to paycheck aren't able to," DeFeo said.

With layoffs, no raises and gas prices climbing, utilities can hit a budget quick, DeFeo said.

"They're working but they can't get ahead," DeFeo said. "It's not feasible without some form of help."

When the Samaritan Center's assistance "can pay the other bills (for a month), that will stretch the paycheck a little further," Lanning said.

The utility assistance may go toward any electric, propane, water or sometimes rent.

Some people have one bad month with unexpected bills and need a little help. Others accumulate such a debt it's impossible to pay off.

Each need is addressed individually, DeFeo said.

This year, the center has paid more than $130,000 toward energy assistance, including support from the Ameren UE Dollar More and the United Way of Central Missouri.

And for the second year, the Jefferson City Area Board of Realtors will host a chili supper, which raised $6,000 in 2003.

The board helped build a Habitat for Humanity home on Miller Street three years ago, which inspired individuals and the group to do more, said president Pam Barkhaus.

"It's amazing how many people need the help, living in terrible conditions.," Barkhaus said.

"When you meet these people, it touches your heart."

But when funds run out, the center has to turn people away.

"That's hard to do," DeFeo said.

More:

More than $30,000 spent from energy assistance fund this year

mreagan@newstribune.com