Campfire Coalition Offers Heating Assistance

While MDI Community Campfire Coalition may be a long name, the mission of the program is very simple and straight forward. Since its founding in 2008 the Coalition has worked to provide heating assistance to families in need on Mount Desert Island, Swan’s Island and the Cranberry Isles. This is accomplished by providing qualified households with a once-per-season delivery of 100 gallons of heating fuel or the equivalent in propane, wood, or electric. Unlike state and federal programs, the Campfire Coalition has a simple one page application and those who meet income qualifications (ranging from $36,420 for an individual to $75,300 for a household of four) usually receive a fuel delivery within a few days.

A collaborative effort of The Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor and the Harbor House Community Service center in Southwest Harbor, this simple and successful program has already assisted nearly fifty families so far this heating season, and we’re only at the midway point. Since its inception in 2008, the Campfire Coalition has helped more than 1,300 households! We are thankful to be able to help provide this invaluable safety for so many in our community.

You can print out the 2021/22 Heating Assistance Application here. Even if your family does not need a helping hand, you might have a friend, neighbor, or relative who does. We encourage you to spread the word!

If you’d like to contribute, checks can be made out sent to the MDI Community Campfire Coalition. c/o The Neighborhood House, PO Bo 332, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662. Neither The Neighborhood House nor Harbor House collect any fees for staffing or administrating the program and 100% of all funds raised go directly to the purchase of fuel.