STANDISH – The town of Standish is asking citizens, business owners and anyone with extra cans, bottles or cash to help residents by donating to the Bottles for Fuel Fund, which is running on empty.

“Due to the severe weather situation and the economy this winter we have depleted the funds in our account,” said Margaret Spencer, a Standish town councilor and Bottles for Fuel Committee member. “We really need the public’s help.”

The Bottles for Fuel Fund was opened in August 2008 in anticipation of a cold winter and at the start of the economic downturn. The fund was meant to help people who need heating assistance but might not qualify for state aid, and would provide those eligible with 100 gallons of No. 2 fuel, K-1, propane or one cord of wood. Thanks to cash donations from local businesses and money from cans and bottles donated during the past three years, the fund at one time had more than $10,000 in it. The current balance is zero, a problem the committee never anticipated.

“Usually we help six to seven families a winter,” said Spencer. “Already this winter we have doubled that. We have helped at least 15 families and there are more people that need assistance.”

Spencer noted that just this week the committee had requests for assistance and was unable to provide funds from the account. Luckily, the family in need was eligible for state assistance and the town staff assisted in getting them the heating money they needed.

For those who still need assistance Spencer promises the town will help them in any way they can.

“No one in Standish will go cold. It just becomes a matter of where we can get the money to help them,” she said. “We will also assist them with state and county programs if we can.”

In the past the Town Council has donated money from the contingency account, but those funds are limited, as well.

“We have no budgeted line for public assistance, particularly for fuel,” said Spencer. “That was the main reason for starting the fund.”

“Please bring your bottles or make a donation,” said Spencer. “Any donation small or large helps someone in need.”