Local agency lends helping hand after winter storm

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - After the recent winter storm, a local organization helped thousands of people pay their gas bills to give residents a leg up.

The Multi-County Community Service Agency contributed $200,000 in one week to pay the natural gas and propane bills of families in need. The funds were provided by Atmos Energy that was spent through 9 counties in the agency. 40% of the amount was used in just Lauderdale County alone.

“We have been paying a lot of utilities and rental payments,” said executive director Ronald Collier. “We normally spend about $80,000 a week in both of our counties. Two weeks ago, we spent $200,000 because of that large amount of gas natural and propane used. We are doing what we are designed to do.”

The efforts targeted residents that needed financial assistance.