PIKE COUNTY, Mo. — Customers at Hardee’s in Louisiana and Bowling Green can help their Pike County neighbors in need on Feb. 10.

The North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is teaming up with the restaurants and Heat Up St. Louis for the 23rd annual Rise & Shine fund-raiser.

From 6 to 10:30 a.m., customers will be able to buy sausage or egg biscuits for just $1. NECAC staff and volunteers will also collect additional donations.

All proceeds will stay in Pike County to help qualifying elderly, disabled and low-income people pay utility costs. Heat Up St. Louis organizes the event, which raises money to fund heating and utility assistance programs administered by agencies in 34 Missouri and Illinois counties.

“The Hardee’s Rise & Shine event is crucial to assist our low-income neighbors with their winter heating bills,” said NECAC Pike County Service Coordinator Penny Dixon. “Not only will Hardee’s customers be receiving a great bargain, but that dollar will help someone with their heating bill. It’s a win-win situation. We greatly appreciate everyone’s participation with this worthy event.”

People may volunteer to help, check participating restaurant locations or pre-order biscuits by logging on to www.heatupstl.org. Last year’s Rise & Shine event raised $650,000 at Hardee’s restaurants in Missouri and Illinois. In addition to Pike, NECAC receives funding for Lincoln, Warren and St. Charles counties.

NECAC also contracts with federal and state funding sources to provide assistance for paying utility bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). Applications are available by calling the NECAC Pike County Service Center at 573-324-2207.