Disclosure

All assistance is subject to availability of funds at the time of request and will be offered on a first come, first served basis determined by receipt of completed application form and all supporting documentation. Service availability may change throughout the year at the discretion of the organization. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements as outlined. No cash assistance will be directly provided at any time; all services will be provided in the form of gift cards, merchandise, or direct payment to 3rd party on behalf of the applicant.

Who Qualifies

Any applicant must be currently employed OR provide proof of retirement income.  You must be a resident of Juniata County.  Applicants that are currently receiving, or likely qualify for Public Assistance benefits such as SNAP, TANF and LIHEAP are not eligible to receive assistance from Community Cares 5 Dollar Fund. You must provide all requested supporting documentation to be considered for assistance. You must agree to a "Pay It Forward" clause, agreeing to acknowledge and respect the kindness of the community by returning $5 to the fund within 3 months of receiving a benefit.  This allows us to continue our efforts to help others within our community.  

As a community driven organization, we hold accountability to our supporters. With that community focus in mind, any individuals with a criminal history can be denied assistance at any point during the verification process at the discretion of the organization Board.

Services we provide

The organization will not provide housing/rental assistance or transportation assistance in the form of car repair/purchase. These services are very expensive, not an immediate, basic need and do not guarantee long term benefit to the recipients. We can provide the following:

1) Holiday Meal Assistance

• Holiday Meals will be purchased by the organization and delivered to the applicant

• Holiday meals will consist of all basics (turkey, potatoes, stuffing, etc) 

• In cases where a family member has a medically restricted diet, a gift card will be presented in place of grocery items

• Holiday meal assistance maximum determined by the Board

1) Grocery Assistance

• Grocery assistance will be provided in the form of a gift card to Weis, Giant or Schlegel's grocery

• Grocery assistance maximum will be determined by the Board

2) Gifts for children (includes special occasion gifts such as Christmas and Birthday)

• We will provide gifts for children (up to and including the age of 18) within your household. 

• Parents will provide the age of the child(ren) and a small wish list for each. 

• Items will be purchased by the organization and delivered/shipped to the parents. 

• Maximum $50 per child

3) Return-To-Work Assistance

• We will provide assistance for individuals needing gasoline  or items necessary for return to work

• Applicant will be provided with a Rutter's or Sheetz gas card or directly purchased work items, shipped to the individual

• Maximum determined by Board and dependent on distance traveled to work location and items requested

4) Heating Oil Assistance (or cost equivalent of other heating options such as pellets, wood, propane, etc)

• We will provide a single delivery of heating oil  or equivalent, to your confirmed residence

• Payment will be made by the organization directly to the fuel oil company

• Applicant will be responsible for being present (if required) to receive fuel delivery

• Maximum delivery will be for the minimum-purchase gallon amount (100 gallon provided by Oakland Fuel) or cost equivalent, other heat source

• Alternative heating will be provided as direct service or credit to heating account, when necessary

5) Utility Assistance (Water/Electric)

• We will provide one-time payment assistance for a utility at your confirmed residence

• Payment will be made by the organization directly to the utility company

• Maximum utility assistance amount determined by the Board

6) Emergency Assistance

• The organization will provide a single donation for county residents that suffer a tragic event such as fire

• Emergency Assistance is at the discretion of the organization and will be determined by Board vote 

• Donations will be made in the form of a check or other direct payment

7) Other Assistance

• The organization will consider requests outside the established categories listed above

• Other Assistance is at the discretion of the organization and will be determined by Board vote 

• Donations will be made in the form of a check or other direct payment

• Maximum benefit to be determined by the Board

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