MAYOR MENINO - South Boston Tribune

Mayor Thomas M. Menino

Sharing useful information
With fall already in full swing, we all know that winter weather is not far ahead. The price of heating oil has increased along with the price of groceries, and unfortunately many of our residents will have to grapple with these increased expenses as colder weather approaches. On Saturday, September 27, from 9:00am – 1:00pm at Madison Park High School, the City will convene a Food and Fuel Summit to try to ease some of these concerns. The Summit will bring together many of the community partners that joined me in August when I announced a Food and Fuel Action Plan to address rising costs for our residents. The event, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity for people to share useful information and receive cost savings information and direct assistance seminars. It will be a one-stop-shop of resources, workshops, and one-on-one help sessions. I guarantee that there is something for everyone, regardless of your income level.

When the doors at Madison Park open that morning, the first 200 guests will receive complimentary gift bags filled with energy efficient light bulbs, a window weatherization kit, valuable coupons, and other useful information. Depending on the information you’re looking for, the Summit will bring together representatives from a host of local nonprofits and private partners. Are you struggling with high utility bills? NSTAR and National Grid will have account representatives on hand for one-on-one utility bill help sessions to figure out how to best lower your energy expenses.

Are you interested in budget-friendly meal ideas? The Boston Public Health Commission’s Chef Kirk and nutrition experts from Shaw’s Supermarkets will put on free cooking demonstrations at the culinary school at Madison Park. You can put those tips to good use and also shop for fresh, locally grown food from the Long Island Shelter’s farmer’s market, which will be set up on the plaza of the high school. Some residents needing extra assistance with food expenses might be eligible to enroll in the federally-funded food stamp program. Right now, there are roughly 27,000 Bostonians eligible for food stamps who are not receiving them. On Saturday, officials from the Department of Transitional Assistance will be present for confidential enrollment sessions during the Summit. For more information about the food stamp program, please visit www.gettingfoodstamps.org/DTAlist.htm.

If you’re not sure what information fits your need, I suggest walking around the exhibition hall. There, you can obtain a variety of useful food and fuel information and speak to our partners, such as NSTAR, National Grid, Mass Energy Consumer Alliance, Boston Building Materials Co-op, Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, Project Bread, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Food Project, ABCD, and Shaw’s Supermarkets.

Throughout the morning, the O’Bryant gymnasium at will also host two workshops. The Department of Neighborhood Development and ABCD will provide short workshops on basic financial planning tools. Meanwhile, the Boston Building Materials Co-op will also be on hand to provide “do it yourself” home weatherization training. This weatherization workshop will show you the simple steps you can take to reduce heat loss in your home.

This summit is about coming together during difficult times. The rising price of food and heating oil is an issue that will affect everyone this winter. I’m glad that we’ve received an outpouring of support from organizations that see the value of extending a helping hand, and I hope that you will join me on Saturday at the Food and Fuel Summit to take advantage of great cost savings opportunities.
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