The SUCCESS Project is proud to announce the launch of our 4th annual Families of Hope campaign! This year our field of nominees is made up of 10 hard-working women who have already overcome a lot; from debilitating car accidents and unexpected illness to bankruptcy, abuse, drug dependency and more. They have all come a long way, and are continuing to strive toward their goals while caring for their families. Because of their continued determination, they serve as inspiration to so many. One of them will be named the 2020 Beacon of Hope at the Taste of SUCCESS event on November 1. Read more about the Families of Hope campaign here.Get tickets to the Taste of SUCCESS event here.
Join Us for Trunk or Treat
Whoo's ready for some Halloween fun? If it's YOU, be sure to come to our Trunk or Treat party on October 26! Free costumes for kids while supplies last. Learn more about how to participate here.
9 Ways to Lower
Heating Bills
It may only be October, but brace yourself--it won't be long until the temperatures drop and your heating costs rise. In fact, for many people it is the most expensive season of the year for utility bills. But thankfully, there are always ways to reduce h eating bills while still staying comfortable in your home. Here are ten ways to do it.
Rearrange the room. If your rooms are set up so that a sofa or any large furniture is positioned in front of a heating source or air vent you are most certainly wasting money. As the days and weeks become colder, rearrange each room so that furniture is far enough away from wall-mounted heaters and the flow of warm air isn’t obstructed.
Don't heat an empty house. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degrees when you're home. If you need to warm up a bit, you can add a layer or have a hot cup of coffee. When you leave your house, lower it to 56 degrees. By turning their thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours a family can save 5% to 15% a year on their heating bill.
Close (or open) the curtains. During daylight hours, open the curtains in front of windows that provide sunlight. Even if it’s cold outside, that light will serve as a heat source. On days where there is no sun, and at night and the early morning, keep curtains closed as windows will transfer cold into your home. To further boost the efficiency of this tip, consider buying thermal curtains that act as a barrier against the cold air.
Block drafts. Cold air can get in, and warm air can escape under doors. To contain the heat in each room, you can buy pre-made “draft blocker strips” that seal off the bottom of your doors--stores like Walmart usually have them for less than $10. You can also make your own with an old pool noodle and some fabric. Just cut the noodle in half and to the correct width, wrap in fabric, and push into the space.
Insulate with bubble wrap. If your home features large panes of glass, such as French or sliding doors, use bubble wrap to reduce heat loss by up to 50%. Bonus: This also recycles the material.
Wrap the water heater. As temperatures drop a water heater may not be able to retain its heat while it’s not in use. And, when it loses heat as it’s on standby, it has to work harder to heat the water when you want to use it, which ends up costing you more money. Boost its efficiency by wrapping it with insulation.
Reverse ceiling fans. If you have ceiling fans in your home, reverse the blade direction and make sure to turn it on anytime you’re using heat. Doing so helps to recirculate warm air near the ceiling back down to the floor where you can feel it. The less hot air that's wasted, the less demand there is on heating systems and the more you save.
Use alternate sources of heat. When you take a steamy shower or bath during winter months, leave the door open to allow the warm, humid air to travel through your home. And as if another reason to bake was needed, your oven can heat up your whole home! For an extra boost of heat, leave the oven door open until it cools—unless you have children or pets, of course.
Get a furnace inspection. Dust and other debris can collect in a furnace in the off season and reduce its efficiency. A sure sign of this is a burning smell the first few times it is turned on. Have a heating and air company inspect and give it a tuneup to prevent issues in the middle of winter.
Our October SUCCESS Classes are OPEN for registration!
These FREE sessions can help you gain new skills! Childcare available if registered. Seating is Limited....must be pre-registered. Call or Email to reserve your seat. Below is a list of what's coming up this month. Click here to see the full class schedule and to register.
Wednesday, October 2 @ 5:30 pm: Avoid Thinking Traps
Join us as we learn to identify and correct counterproductive patterns in thinking through the use of Mental Cues and Critical Questions. Childcare available if registered. Seating is Limited....Must be pre-registered.
Saturday, October 5 @ 10:00 am: Money Hacks and Side Hustles
Join us for a panel discussion to discuss ways to get the most out of your money. Childcare available if registered. Seating is Limited....Must be pre-registered.
Tuesday, October 8 @ 5:30 pm: Invest in Yourself
This exciting workshop is going to explore different ways to make your money work for you. Childcare available if registered. Seating is Limited....Must be pre-registered.
Thursday, October 10 @ 5:00 pm: Healthy Cents
Get tips on how to eat healthy on a budget. Includes a food tasting! Each household will receive a gift card for attending. Childcare available if registered. Seating is Limited....Must be pre-registered.
Budget Meal of the Month: Tortellini with Spinach and Tomatoes Soup
Cook time: 20 Minutes Yield: 5 servings
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
32 oz. reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
9 oz. whole wheat or regular cheese tortellini (sold refrigerated/frozen)
15 oz. no-salt added diced tomatoes, with their liquid
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, or to taste
Directions
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the garlic for one minute, then stir in the broth. Bring it to a boil, and then add the tortellini, tomatoes, pepper, basil and oregano.
Reduce the heat to keep it at a low boil for 7 minutes. Add the spinach. Simmer it for 2 more minutes, then remove it from the heat and serve it immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Where to Get Food, Healthcare & Other Services for No or Low Cost
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - SUCCESS Pantry: Get groceries, cleaning supplies and health & hygiene items, 1-3 at HDGHA, 101 Stansbury Court, Havre de Grace
October 1 - Harford County Toys for Tots Christmas Toys Application opens. You MUST apply online to request toys. Application can be accessed at https://harford-md.toysfortots.org. Once approved, you will receive an EMAIL with your Toy Pick-Up Appointment Time & Date. You WILL NOT receive a phone call with your appointment time. Make sure to use a good email address.
October 5 - Freedom Federal Credit Union Member FREE Shred Day at the Park Avenue Branch from 9a to 12p or until the truck is full
October 11 - EPICENTER at Edgewood Health Fair and Food Giveaway, 2-5pm. Food distribution begins at 3. Free flu shots, vision screenings and more, 1918 Pulaski Highway in Edgewood
October 12 - Coat Giveaway for men, women & children. Boots and sweaters available too. 10am-2pm at the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance, 102 S Market St,, Havre de Grace
October 18 -Food Distribution, 5–7pm at the Tabernacle of Faith Family Life Center, 315A N. Earlton Road in Havre de Grace
October 19- Food Distribution 9 – 11:45am at Bel Air United Methodist Church in McComas Hall, 21 Linwood Avenue, Bel Air
October 26 - Health Fair and Food Giveaway, 9 AM-12 PM at Mountain Christian Church, Abingdon. Get free health screenings, employment counseling, financial literacy, educational opportunities, mental health support, insurance programs, and more. 3465 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive in Abingdon
October 26 - Havre de Grace Housing Authority Trunk or Treat, 5-7pm. Free costumes for kids while supplies last. 101 Stansbury Court, Havre de Grace
ONGOING
FREE Cybersecurity Job Training for Veterans - 100% Scholarship Based Training for Veterans through Immersion Academy. For more information: go to Web: www.sans.org/cybertalent or Email: immersionacademy@sans.org
Affordable Dental Care at West Cecil Health visit WestCecilHealth.org for more info.
Healthy Harford/Healthy Cecil WATCH program WATCH is a team of community healthcare providers and social workers who visit residents in their home to help solve issues that might be keeping them from achieving their best health such as, transportation issues, difficulty taking medications correctly, safe housing, nutritious food, assistance with medical appointments and more, Services provided FREE of charge. More info at 1-800-515-0044.
Medical Transportation by the Harford County Health Dept. Learn more here.
Stop Smoking Classes--Click here to see the location and time schedule.
Visit Healthy Harford for more free or low cost Health and Safety Events.
Affordable Housing
Available
The Havre de Grace Housing Authority is now accepting housing applications for 1-5 bedroom units in their wonderful community at Somerset Manor. Download forms here.
