By Staff
As temperatures slowly climb back to normal, Escambia County is investigating the death of a Boykin man suspected to have died from the cold weather last week.
Sheriff Grover Smith said it best when discussing the tragic death of the 61-year-old man, who investigators said had no heat or electricity in his house: “There is no reason anyone in this country should freeze or starve to death.”
There are resources in this community and in our region to help those who need assistance — all you have to do is ask. Smith said anyone can go to the sheriff’s department, and officials there will direct them to the right resources. And if you know someone who is in need of assistance, please take the time to send them in the right direction.
Among the resources in our county are food banks, such as the community-wide food bank at First United Methodist Church in Brewton, and the Project SHARE partnership between the Red Cross and Alabama Power. Project SHARE helps pay heating bills for those who cannot afford them. Appointments will be taken at the local Red Cross office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Residents in Brewton and Flomaton can set up an appointment by calling (251) 867-3426.
Because so many people in our community need the kind of assistance these programs offer, those of us who can afford to help would be welcome to donate to Project SHARE through their Alabama Power bills or to the food bank at First United Methodist Church.
We hope that the worst of the cold weather will soon be behind us — but we know that we will continue to have people in need in our community.