A small breakfast item will go a long way toward helping disadvantaged Pike County residents pay their utility bills. Heat Up St. Louis has teamed with Hardee’s and NECAC for the 24th annual “Rise & Shine” promotion Feb. 9. From 6 to 10:30 a.m., the Hardee’s in Bowling Green and others elsewhere in the St. Louis area will offer $1 sausage or egg biscuits. Proceeds from sales at Bowling Green will stay in Pike County to help income-qualifying elderly, disabled and low-income people pay utility costs. Heat Up St. Louis organizes the event, which covers 34 Missouri and Illinois counties.

“There are so many people in need at this time, and we urge Hardee’s customers to help out by buying biscuits as they can,” said NECAC Pike County Service Coordinator Penny Dixon.  “We greatly appreciate the participation.” Customers who order 25 or more biscuits at a time before noon each day can pick them up the next morning. Orders must be made online Feb. 8 or before at www.heatupstlouis.org. and designate the Bowling Green restaurant as the pickup point. Last year’s Rise & Shine event raised a record $900,000 in the region. In addition to Pike, NECAC receives funding for Lincoln, St. Charles and Warren 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 at www.necac.org or by calling the NECAC Pike County Service Center at 573-324-2207.

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO: Jack Jones accepts a donation during last year’s Rise & Shine fund-raiser at the Bowling Green Hardee’s. This year’s event is Feb. 9.