A Lifesaver for Those with Nowhere Else to Turn

Gift of Warmth is a non-profit program administered by The Salvation Army and is funded by generous contributions from Kansas Gas Service customers and the ONEOK Foundation. It helps Kansans facing financial emergencies pay their home heating costs and stay warm through the winter. Gift of Warmth began in 2004 as a joint effort between The Salvation Army and Kansas Gas Service. It's available to Kansans in the 78 counties served by Kansas Gas Service, but the applicant is not required to be a Kansas Gas Service customer.

The program is primarily designed to help people who cannot cover their home heating expenses. All applications for aid are processed through the Salvation Army network of facilities and caseworkers. The Salvation Army makes payments directly to the utility or fuel supplier on behalf of the person chosen to receive the aid.

Although Kansas Gas Service was the utility that founded this program, Gift of Warmth helps people regardless of how they heat their home. Funds distributed exclusively by The Salvation Army are used to pay for natural gas, electricity, propane, firewood, or fuel oil payments. Grants are distributed each winter from mid November through mid April, as long as funds are available.

Ways to Contribute
There are three ways to contribute to the program.

The most popular is to check the space designating a gift to the Gift of Warmth program on your monthly Kansas Gas Service bill, and to then overpay the bill in the amount you desire to contribute. You can give as little or as much as you'd like.

You may also enroll online to make an automatic recurring contribution.

If you prefer, you also can make contributions directly to The Salvation Army by check or money order. Just be sure you designate your gift to the Gift of Warmth program. Mail your contributions to:

Salvation Army Headquarters
Gift of Warmth Program
P.O. Box 12600
Kansas City, OK 73157

How to Apply for Aid
If you'd like to receive help in paying your heating bills through the Gift of Warmth program, you will need to apply at your nearest location of the Salvation Army or call the Salvation Army regional office toll-free at 877-566-2769, extension 402. Depending upon the volume of calls and funds available, applicants should leave their name and address so that the Salvation Army can mail an application. The application must be returned to the Salvation Army within 10 days. In addition, you'll be asked to meet the following requirements:

• Customer must reside in one of the 78 counties served by Kansas Gas Service, but applicants are NOT required to be a Kansas Gas Service customer.
• Customer must be the person responsible for paying the primary heating bill in that residence.
• Customer must provide sufficient proof of need to The Salvation Army.
• Customer's gross family income may not exceed 200% of the Federal poverty level guideline.
• Qualifying customers may receive a one-time grant of assistance from Gift of Warmth not to exceed $300 per heating season.
• Applications and grants awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• The grant must be sufficient to prevent disconnection of service for the following 30 days.