Basic Budgeting Workshop: Taking Control of your Money

Emergency Services of Community Services Consortium presents the Basic Budgeting Workshop.

This workshop is a two hour class that focuses on learning how to take control of our money by setting up a monthly budget and spending plan. The workshop is offered to any CSC client receiving housing or energy assistance.

Topics covered in this workshops include:

• Identifying and prioritizing expenses
• Tips for trimming your budget
• Creating a monthly budget
• Setting financial goals
• Developing a spending plan that is right for YOU And More!

The Basic Budgeting Workshop is held monthly. If you are unable to attend a workshop in your area, please contact Cindy Pratt-DeMarzo at (541)758-2632 or via email:  cpratt@communityservices.us for future workshop dates.

Basic Budgeting Workshop Schedule:

• Monday, October 22, 2012, 10:00AM-12:00 PM
• Monday, November 5, 2012,  2:00-4:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 1:00-3:00 PM

Location:  CSC Corvallis Office, 545 SW 2nd Street, Suite A, Corvallis, OR 97333

The Basic Budgeting Workshop is FREE but you must register!

Instructor:  Cindy Pratt-DeMarzo, (541) 758-2632

For Attending:  Receive a FREE personal Planner and Money Organizer!  

Please Note: Income eligibility applies to attend workshop.

Local Child Raises Money for Linn Benton Food Share

On Thursday, October 11, six-year-old Keira Jackson came by the Linn Benton Food Share office with a donation. She explained that her family’s apple tree produced a bumper crop of apples this year – way more than they could use. Keira and her mother, Dixie, decided to set up a fruit stand so Keira could sell the apples.

They decided the money would go to charity – and selected Linn Benton Food Share to receive the proceeds. Keira was excited to present Food Share with a check for $80 from her fruit stand efforts. Way to go, Keira!

LIHEAP Program Serves 7,257 Households in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties

During the 2011-2012 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season, Community Services Consortium served 7,257 households in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.

Some interesting statistics on those households served during the 2011-2012 LIHEAP season include:

1. Total energy payments: $2,224,279.50


2. Total served: 7,527 households (15% decrease over 2010-2011) which included 17,734 individuals (16% decrease over 2010-2011)


3. Of the 7,527 households served:
• 2,158 households had at least one senior member
• 2,698 households had at least one permanently disabled person
• 1,614 households had at least one child under the age of 6 years old
• 934 households had at least one child under the age of 3 years old
• 1,212 households headed by a single female parent
• 136 households headed by a single male parent


4. Of the 7,257 households served, 56% (4,058) of households earned less than 100% of poverty (at 100% of poverty, a household of 2 would have earned less than $1,226 per month gross income, and a household of 4 would have earned less than $1,863 per month gross income).


5. 48% of the households served had a shut off or a past due notice.


6. Unduplicated households served by county:
• Linn County: 4,074 households/10,567 individuals
• Benton County: 1,538 households/3,713 individuals
• Lincoln County: 1,645 households/3,454 individuals

Programs like LIHEAP are critical for keeping low-income households safe, healthy, and warm. Did you know that some of the consequences of unaffordable heating costs include:

• An increase in hunger and malnutrition when people are forced to choose between heating and eating.
• Personal health suffers as people are not able to fill prescriptions, must skip or reduce their medications, or go without needed medical or dental care.
• The elderly, people with disabilities or medical conditions, and small children are put at risk of hypothermia.
• Health and safety is endangered by people using alternate heat or light sources such as kerosene heaters, candles, lanterns, fireplaces or charcoal briquettes.
• Evictions increase and more people become homeless. Many never regain their housing and children leave school.
• Loss of utility service contributes to children going into foster care, as living without utility service is considered neglect.
• People in subsidized housing risk losing their housing voucher if their power is shut off.

If you or your organization would like to help, tax-deductible donations to assist low-income families may be made payable to:

Emergency Services

Energy Assistance Program 2012-2013

Community Services Consortium

250 Broadalbin St. SW, Suite 2A

Albany, OR 97321

541-928-6335, ext. 314