PIKE CO, M0 — A small breakfast item will go a long way toward helping disadvantaged Pike County residents pay their utility bills, and advance purchases can be made now.

Heat Up St. Louis has teamed with Hardee’s restaurants and NECAC for the 25th annual “Rise & Shine for Heat” promotion Feb. 14.

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. All 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.”

Bulk pre-orders are already under way, and may be made by logging on to www.heatupstlouis.org and filling out the electronic form. Orders must be $25 or more, and designate the Bowling Green restaurant as the pickup point unless another location is desired. Orders can be picked up the next day. The deadline for pre-orders is noon on Feb. 13.

Volunteers also are needed, and may register by logging onto the website and clicking on “2025 Volunteer Sign-Up Form.”

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: NECAC’s Kayla Wasson is interviewed by Laura Simon of KTVI Fox 2 News during the 2024 “Rise & Shine for Heat.” This year’s event is Feb. 14 and biscuit sales already are under way.