The cold crept in quietly.

Inside their small trailer, Ruth and Walter sat wrapped in layers: sweaters, blankets, and fear. The propane tank was dangerously low. Each night, they anxiously checked the gauge and wondered how much longer the heat would last.

“Every night felt like a countdown,” recalls Ruth.

Turning up the thermostat wasn’t an option. Neither was dipping into their savings. They had already done that before.

During the 2008 recession, they were forced to cash out their 401(k) just to survive. It was money they had set aside for retirement. Instead, it disappeared during a time when they had no other choice – a lifeline used far too soon.

Now retired, they live on Social Security alone. They own their trailer but still pay rent for the land each month. After decades of work, this wasn’t the modest retirement they imagined. As prices have climbed in recent years, even basic needs have become harder to manage.

This winter, the question was simple and frightening: could they keep the heat on?

With the heat out, they reached out to Catholic Charities NH, hoping to find warmth for the frigid months ahead.

Finding Help When It Matters Most

When they called, they didn’t know what to expect. What they found was someone willing to light the path forward.

Our Community Services staff worked closely with Ruth and Walter to review their finances, and help them make sense of what little room they had left in their budget, Together, they identified assistance programs that could help ease the strain, including fuel assistance and the Electrical Assistance Program.

“They helped us understand where our money was going and what help we could get. It made everything feel less overwhelming,” said Walter.

Your Generosity Filled the Gap

As their propane supply dropped dangerously low, and frigid days awaited, your generosity stepped in.

Because of donors like you, Community Services was able to provide 100 gallons of propane, enough to keep their home warm and safe while they wait to hear back about seasonal fuel assistance.

That delivery brought more than heat. It brought relief.  For the first time in weeks, they stopped checking the gauge with dread. Instead, they could focus on staying healthy and moving through winter with a little more confidence.

This is Why You Give

Your support doesn’t just fill a tank. For Ruth and Walter, it protected their dignity, eased their fear, and reminded them they are not alone.

For them, winter feels manageable again.

And for you, this is the impact of your generosity in action: real people, real relief, at exactly the moment it’s needed most.

Thank you for helping keep the heat on and hope alive.