We were recently contacted by two recipients of our Energy Assistance funds, who wanted to share how much Oregon Energy Fund and our dedicated donors meant to them in a time of crisis. While we have changed names to preserve their privacy, we are grateful for the chance to share this story, and their thanks, with all of you.

Dear Oregon Energy Fund,

I’m writing to let you know how much we appreciate your recent help with our electric bill.

We are of a generation who always worked hard, paid bills, obeyed laws, raised a family, didn’t ask for handouts. We took pride in being able to make it on our own, share with people in need, and set a little extra aside for a rainy day. Well, it’s raining, and it has been for a long time. Between inflation and a new hip, what little we had for a nest egg is wiped out, and now we’re the ones in need.

We are on a fixed income—a very fixed income—drawing Social Security and living as frugally as we can. But every year, prices go up faster than our Social Security does. This year, our Social Security increased by 2.5%, but our Medicare premiums went up nearly 6%, so between the two of us we lost about $20 a month.

$20 may not sound like much to a lot of people, but for us it’s huge. Every time prices go up just a few cents, it means one more thing we have to cut out to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. We’ve run out of things we can cut. Gas prices are up, food prices are up, medicine prices are up, utilities are up—everything is getting higher but our bank account balance.

And it’s not just us. Everyone we know our age is in the same shape. Or worse.

Asking for help was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Thank God you were there. Getting help with our electric bill was a huge relief. It meant we got to eat every day. Your help made my wife cry happy tears, and that means more to me than I can say.

Thank you for being there for people like us. I wish I could send a thank you note to everyone who donated to your amazing organization. We are so grateful.

Bless you, 
Jim & Donna, Medford OR