Amid times of high inflation, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation members can apply for assistance with their electric bills through the Project HELP program.

Project HELP is DREMC’s emergency residential energy-assistance program and is overseen by local charity organizations, including the Franklin County Good Samaritan Association.

Project HELP provides emergency electric-bill assistance year-round to help qualifying DREMC members keep their electric power on during difficult financial times.

Project HELP has helped thousands of Duck River members over the program’s 31-year existence. Because financial hardships can occur for families or individuals anytime during the year, Project HELP’s assistance is available to help DREMC members when they need it most.

“In the current economic climate, some members have needed assistance who have never needed it before,” DREMC Office Manager Amy Holcomb said. “It is good to have a program that the local community can support through their generous donations which stay in that same community to help their neighbors in need.”

She recently assisted a Franklin County DREMC member who was struggling financially.

“It was close to Christmas, and the member had been laid off from work and was falling behind on paying his bills,” Holcomb said. “I explained how the Project HELP program works and how individuals and businesses support the program through their donations to help qualifying DREMC members pay part or all of their electric bills. After learning about how assistance was available through the program, his situation improved.

“Sometimes just knowing that people care and that help is available is encouraging during hard times.”

Project HELP is supported by donations from DREMC members and employees, and their generosity has made this assistance program a valuable resource for those who live in Franklin County.

To apply for Project HELP assistance, contact the Franklin County Good Samaritan Association, located at 1725 Decherd Blvd. in Decherd, or call 931-967-9336.