There's no snow on the ground yet, but the United Way of Bruce Grey's Winter Warmth program is already tapped out.
A harsh start to 2014 means that $250,000 has already been spent paying people's heating bills, leaving a waiting list and cold nights ahead for at least 30 families.
The United Way's Francesca Dobbyn fields about eight calls a day from families who can't pay their heating bill, and unfortunately the United Way can't help them.
"Everything is gone right now, we're at a wait-list, triage, crisis management," she says.
The program has already helped keep over 1,100 people warm this year, but because the money is all gone there are 51 people on a waiting list with over $17,000 in outstanding heating bills - and it's only November.
She says this is an Ontario-wide issue, she's just the one choosing to make alot of noise about it.
Two local MPPs have now gotten involved and are asking the provincial government how they're going to keep people warm this winter.
But while decision-makers bicker over the issue, people can and will go cold this winter. Only Union Gas and Hydro One have agreed to not unplug those that can't pay after Dec. 1.
Dobbyn says "But other companies will, and certainly if you're cash on delivery for propane, wood or furnace oil, there's nothing that compels anybody to make a delivery. So you can be without heat, absolutely."
She believes a much larger discussion must eventually be had, "We're cobbling together this system that's totally duct tape in a hurricane."
