They were able to postpone their purchase until the windows went on sale, Burk said, and were able to pay for the four windows that they needed by adding $60 of their own money.
Embrace Iowa was launched in 1984 by The Des Moines Register as the Ethiopian relief program known as Iowa Shares and Iowa Cares, and has since helped thousands of the state's needy residents.
Last year, donations totaled $170,000, helping 521 families make payments on rent, utility bills, appliances, car repairs and more.
The rising costs of fuel and food are putting an even greater strain on families this year, said Lana Ross, executive director of the Iowa Community Action Association, which administers the funds.
'As our country increases its commitment to using ethanol, it's having a major impact on food cost, which is affecting low income families' ability to meet their nutritional needs,' Ross said. 'I think the other piece of this puzzle is we have so many families needing help with utilities because we just don't have enough support from the federal level from the LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) to meet the needs.'
The average payment from LIHEAP in 2001 was $565; last year, it was $317, Ross said. 'The federal appropriation for LIHEAP has not kept up with the increased fuel costs that families are experiencing.'
One of the strengths of Embrace Iowa is that it helps 'fill in the gaps' for families, Ross said.
This is the second time that the Burks have been helped by Embrace Iowa. In 1993, the program helped buy Burk a sewing machine, which she used to sew curtains and her children's clothes.
'You never know how a gift you give today could affect the person tomorrow or many tomorrows later,' Burk wrote. 'Thank you so much to the creators and sponsors of this program!'
Reporter Dawn Sagario can be reached at (515) 284-8351 or dsagariodmreg.com
Source link: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/LIFE/711250302/-1/LIFE04
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