Some struggling to keep homes heated

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - With more cold nights and mornings, soon we'll start feeling the impact through our heating bills.

The Valley Opportunity Council's Heating Assistance Program has been stretched thin and it only gets worse during a cold snap.

"It's gotten cold so all of a sudden, people are using a lot more than they had been before,” said Gail Pisacane, Energy Director for the Valley Opportunity Council. “We were feeling a little more confident in the beginning of December, then the fiscal cliff happened. We settled that but now the big thing is people are going through their fuel very quickly.”

Neighbors are encouraged to look out for each other. If you know someone who is struggling, check in on them during colder days to make sure they are ok.