Program helps less fortunate winterize homes - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

With the cold weather outside, folks in metro Atlanta will try to keep warm.  But not everyone can afford to winterize their home.

The firewood is already on display outside a Home Depot in Atlanta – a sure sign that it's time to prepare for Old Man Winter.

Randy Larsen is a supervisor at the store. He says this is the time of year when space heaters, thermostats, and weather stripping flies off the shelves.

"All of those ways that you can use to try to seal the nooks and crannies around the edge of your house to keep the heat in and the energy bills low," said Larsen.

But not everyone can afford the equipment necessary to keep their homes safely heated during the winter. That's where Georgia Power and the Salvation Army step in.

"I'm pretty sure now that the weather's changed, people will begin to see a shocking statement when their utility bills come in. And we want to be able to help them in those times when we can," said Captain Andy Miller of the Salvation Army.

Miller says this is the time of year when they get increased requests for help with utility bills.

In addition to their programs that feed, clothe and shelter the less fortunate, they also administer a program called Project Share. It's where utility customers can make monthly donations to people who can't afford to heat their homes.

"Well, I can speak directly for Gwinnett County, where we had 11,000 families that we helped, 11,000 households we helped just this past year -- $160,000 we were able to give to people to help with their utilities," said Miller.

Georgia Power matches those donations.  Last year Project Share helped more than 40,000 Georgians keep their power on.

"It goes a long way to doing the most good, and then you participate in it as well," said Miller.

Last year more than $2.6 million dollars was donated to Project Share to help needy families keep their homes warm during the winter.

For information on how you can help, visit: https://customerservice.southerncompany.com/ProjectShare/ProjectShare.aspx?mnuOpco=gpc&mnuType=res