Organizers Warn Fund For Elderly Is Running Low

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians is facing its own emergency, in danger of shutting down because of low funds.

The fund is down to just $22,000 heading into the winter, which is the peak demand season for low-income seniors. 

Chris Gallagher, director of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's Helpline call center, said the fund helps an average of 2,000 seniors a year.

"Last year, we helped 1,975 people with this fund in various degrees.  Some were heating oil, we helped another 717 people with money to purchase food."

Gallagher says the Fund's administrators are conducting fundraising and reaching out to donors and to the public to keep the Fund operating. 

You can help at keepseniorswarm.org. 

Reported by KYW Newsradio's Karin Phillips.