BUFFALO, N.Y. – Despite the beautiful autumn weather on Monday, many people are already thinking ahead to the cold temperatures.
Residents lined up in Buffalo for the first day of registration for the Home Energy Assistance Program.
PUSH Buffalo was on hand outside the HEAP office Monday morning to make the experience a little more comfortable.
Members passed out hot cocoa and played music, encouraging people to dance. They’re also working to gather support for their initiative to begin auto-enrollment for HEAP benefits.
“One of the things that we try and do is really bring some dignity to this experience,” PUSH Buffalo Energy Democracy Organizer Meghan Maloney De Zaldivar said. “So we’re bringing out hot cocoa to people, getting some music going because it’s a really horrible thing to come here and have to stand in line just to keep your kids warm.”
PUSH Buffalo, along with other members of the Energy Democracy Alliance, will meet with representatives from the state later this week to discuss how to implement a more effective and affordable energy program.