KINGFIELD — The Kingfield United Methodist Church has initiated its 2009-10 home heating fundraising effort. The program was reasonably successful in 2008-09 by bringing assistance to needy families in the area. There is reason to believe that the need will be greater this winter than last, despite the fact that fuel oil may be at a lower price. Unemployment in the Farmington Labor Marketing Area (including Kingfield) stands at 11 percent, according to the Maine Department of Labor.

Persons and businesses wishing to contribute to the local fund may do so by check payable to Home Heating, mailed to the Kingfield United Methodist Church at 51 High Street. Kingfield, Maine 04947.

The need reaches beyond the unemployed. It is extended to those families of the underemployed. That includes families with two working parents whose combined incomes are not sufficient to meet family needs for food, clothing and heat, not to mention medical expenses.

The United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem reports its food bank is serving one or two new families each week. Indications are that pattern will continue. With that as background it is more than likely that the need for home heating assistance will grow. UMEM is one of the two agencies, which administers home heating funds raised by the Kingfield church, receiving 60 percent of the local funds. The remaining 40 percent is directed to the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund in Farmington.

In the meantime, the project built on returnable bottles and cans continues. Bottles and cans returned to the Old Mill Redemption Center in Kingfield advising the attendant that the funds are to be assigned to Home Heating Fund.