Manassas Residents Asked to Help Out

Utilities Customers Can Donate Change

Every penny counts.

Or at least that is the message Manassas City officials hope to spread as they launch a program that will help those who are strapped for cash during tough economic times.

Spearheaded by the Manassas Utility and Family Services departments, the program will allow Manassas residents to pass their spare change to needy families trying to pay utility bills. The program, called Operation Round-Up, is scheduled to begin Jan. 1.

"Operation Round-Up has been around in other jurisdictions and has always been one of those teeter-totter things -- should we go with it or not," utilities services manager Ana Davis said, noting that the not-for-profit electricity distribution company NOVEC has had the program since 1997. "But with the state of the economy, it was the right choice. I think our community has its heart in the right place and will come through for us."

Although the program won't start until next month, it got an initial boost Monday. Because it will take a while to get established, the Manassas City Council approved a $10,000 fund transfer from the Utility Department's general maintenance fund to Family Services to help needy households immediately.

Next month, residents will be able to allow the Utility Department to automatically round up their utility bills to the nearest dollar. The change, which could be from a penny to 99 cents a month, will be turned over to Family Services, Davis said.

Residents can opt to participate in the program for six months or a year, or make general contributions. The Manassas Utility Department serves about 15,000 customers, and Davis said it is hoped that at least 50 percent of the customers will participate by tacking on the extra change to their bills, which on average are $100 to $150 a month.

"Families are falling behind in expenses, and we thought this was a way to help provide more relief," said Family Services Director Ray Spicer. "I think we have a compassionate community, so I hope people will take advantage of the program."

Spicer said one of the big concerns in the winter is that when households with children, elderly or disabled occupants can't pay the bills, the situation can become dangerous. If the utilities are shut off and the occupants have no other place to stay, the children could potentially be moved into foster care and the elderly into assisted-living facilities.

Over the years, the nonprofit organization SERVE and the Manassas Utility Department have donated about $5,300 annually to help people pay utility bills. SERVE distributes the money, Spicer said, helping an average of 30 households a year. He added that the amount is no longer enough, as more people are in search of assistance.

According to state data, 982 Manassas households applied for food stamps last month. The number of residents on Medicaid was almost 4,600, and 170 people needed temporary cash assistance as of Nov. 1.

"Over the last 18 months, things have climbed steadily, and we expect it to continue to increase," said S. Gay Daniels, the department's benefit programs manager. "We are thrilled we have come to this arrangement with the utilities department in order to help people out."

Spicer said they are determining who can apply for the program and the best way to utilize funds -- from the recent transfer and the upcoming program. That, however, should be determined within the next few weeks to begin assisting people in the new year.

"They say it's going to be a cold winter. You add that to the economy -- I don't need to say much more," Spicer said. "We are just trying to brace for the worst and hope for the best."