The Salvation Army in Fayetteville administers two funds for those in financial need. The first, know as CIP (Crisis Intervention Program) is there to help people whose electricity could be cut off at any minute.
The second, known as LEAP (pronounced "lee-app") is a seasonal fund to help cover higher-than-usual heating bills. After a polar vortex and an uncharacteristically heavy snowfall, LEAP is being put to the test this week.
"This morning I was over there and there was probably a couple hundred [people] outside the door," said Brian Allen, communication's director for The Salvation Army in Fayetteville. "These programs are on a first-come, first-serve basis. We don't have a sign-up sheet. You can't call and make an appointment. It's first-come, first-serve."
Because they're first-come, first-serve people have been left waiting in the cold. Allen said his staff is a good staff, but they're small, and the demand is just so high.
Allen was unclear on exactly how much money is available in the funds. He said the pots are pretty big, but, "with the way it's been the last couple of days it could go very quickly."