he Diocesean Heating Assistance Program (DHAP) provides emergency heating assistance to needy persons residing within the nine counties of the Diocese of Kalamazoo (Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St Joseph, and Van Buren counties). The program runs January through March, or until the funds are depleted. Services are performed by Heating Assistance Volunteers at Catholic Charities. The program helps needy persons defray heating expenses and obtain heating resources (fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, firewood, etc).

The DHAP is funded through a special collection taken one weekend in November -- with funds contributed from more than 50 parishes and missions across the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Parishes/missions may keep 20% of the funds collected for local use, serving the poor and vulnerable. The remaining 80% is contributed to the DHAP Fund and given out to families in need.

To apply for assistance through this program, call your local parish/mission Heating Assistance Volunteer (HAV). To obtain the name of your local HAV, contact Catholic Charities via e-mail at info@ccdok.org and include your address in the e-mail or call 269-381-9800 during business hours. A maximum of $300 is set for each eligible family.