HOUSTON — BakerRipley’s annual Utility Assistance Drive in Southwest Houston drew huge crowds on Saturday.
Despite the heat, lines wrapped around the agency’s Aberdeen Campus, giving a glimpse at the great need for utility assistance in the Houston area.
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Rosio Aguilar was among dozens that showed up.
"My husband fell off a ladder it was almost 12 feet high. He broke his ankle, he has already had two surgeries and we’re having a hard time paying bills, rent, water. We have two children, one baby 7-months, little girl 3-years," Aguilar said.
The agency has been seeing more and more stories like Aguilar's.
"COVID-19 and inflation have just increased those families that are in need of our services,” said BakerRipley Utility Assistance Director Desiree Davis.
Davis said the agency has served well over 10,000 households in Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris counties this year. She said they received nearly 200 applications at Saturday’s event.
The federally funded agency helps cover water and electricity bills as well as A/C repair and replacement.
“We have about $15 million remaining this year so plenty of funds to continue to assist families in need,” said Davis.
Aguilar said the resources are a lifeline.
"Hopefully it will be a lot of help even with something right now anything helps," Aguilar said.
BakerRipley plans to host another in-person utility drive at the Aberdeen Campus on July 23 at 9 a.m.