plight of the 'working poor'

I read this from the local paper. Due to the overall cost of rising fuel prices PLUS recent hurricane damage in the gulf...natural gas (ie: heating bills this winter) are expected to be 60%-90% higher than last season. And I thought last season's was higher than usual. 90%...as in, almost DOUBLE.

The article states:
Residential customers who paid an average of $367 from October 2004 to March 2005 could expect to pay $690 during the same time period this year. That's an increase of more than $50 a month.


This has nothing to do with greedy energy companies as by law they cannot profit from rate increases. This is supposedly about lack of supply. Things like this devestate the working poor: people with jobs that can barely support their families with their already low wages.

All I can say is 1) Churches & ministries to the poor...brace for impact. It's gonna be a tough winter. And 2) I know it's cool and trendy to give to various hurricane relief efforts right now. And those victims obviously need your support. But maybe start scoping out people in your own neighborhoods and community, build friendships with them (if you already haven't) and offer to help them out one month or so. People like elderly on fixed (social security) incomes, single working moms, poor families with several kids who are really trying hard to make it on their own, etc.