LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Interfaith Outreach Association in Lynchburg is helping those facing eviction or utility terminations.
Executive Director Shawne Farmer says they’re currently supporting 127 families in the Hill City and surrounding counties, and it’s not due to unemployment.
“The majority of the people that have come to us recently for assistance are working and they have income,” said Farmer.
That income only goes so far.
Farmer says families are struggling because of inflation. They’re having trouble heating their homes, or even commuting to and from work thanks to higher prices at the pumps.
“For people who live paycheck to paycheck or for people who are on a fixed income, they can’t get as much as they used to with that income, and so they’re unable to pay bills,” said Farmer.
And bills vary by household. From July 2020 to June 2021, Interfaith Outreach helped nearly 1,600 families with about 1,800 bills. The majority of those were related to COVID-19.
Farmer says the nonprofit is running out of CARES funding, so they’re relying on raffles and other fundraisers to help families in Central Virginia. You can donate here.