McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson County Community Foundation (MCCF) has established the McPherson County Utility Aid Fund to help local residents avoid utility shutoffs and weather financial emergencies.
Created in partnership with Churches United in Ministry, the fund responds to a growing community need left by the Operation Warmth program ending in 2022. Donations for Operation Warmth were originally facilitated through McPherson BPU. Organized as an endowment, the fund will provide a stable, long-term source of support for families struggling to keep essential services connected.
Churches United in Ministry currently provides financial assistance using church-paid fees and donations from Save & Share in McPherson. Demand for help often exceeds available resources, and the request for utilities became especially prevalent during extreme winter and summer months. This new endowment will allow the organization to assist households who may have already received aid from Churches United in Ministry.
“Right now, I’m only able to help a household once a year,” said Sheila Plooster, director of Churches United in Ministry. “During peak seasons, we see more people asking for help than we have funding available.”
The Utility Aid Fund is designed to help residents before utilities are shut off and to provide relief during unexpected hardships such as job loss or medical issues. Applicants will continue to be screened through Churches United in Ministry’s established vetting process, ensuring funds are distributed responsibly and effectively. Payments made from the fund will be direct to utility providers.
“Establishing this fund as an endowment allows donor dollars to make a lasting impact,” said Jim Ostlund, MCCF director of development. “With the support of our donors, we can provide dependable assistance year after year to neighbors who need it most.”
Plooster said donor support can directly prevent utility shutoffs and help stabilize households during times of crisis.
“This funding stays in our community and goes to people who often have nowhere else to turn,” Plooster said. “It can be the difference between a family keeping the heat on or facing a shutoff notice.”
Donations to the McPherson County Utility Aid Fund will help ensure long-term support for utility assistance in McPherson County and provide immediate relief for families facing financial hardship. The fund expects to start making distributions back to the community as early as winter 2026.
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Mailed donations can be made to MCCF at:
P.O. Box 822,
McPherson, KS 67460.
