EATONVILLE, Fla. -- Falling temperatures usually means rising utility bills, which can increase the strain on people who are already struggling to keep themselves afloat.

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Raking leaves with her grandson, Jacqueline Boston worries about how to pay her utility bills this winter.

"I try to keep it off as much as I can because I try to keep the electric bill down," Boston said.

Boston said her bill averages around $300.

She said she's considering drastic alternatives.

"One time I was thinking about going back and getting kerosene heaters," Boston said.

But there's help in the form of the United Way's 211 assistance program. The program will help you find agencies to aid you with utility payments, rent and food.

In October, requests for help broke the records with 12,000 calls.

Kevin Noonan works for the Orlando Utilities Commission.

He said their program Project Care is run within the 211 system.

It's been around since 1994 and since that time it's helped 6,000 families and given away about $1.2 million in assistance.

Project Care provides assistance to a customer up to $500 once in a year.

The program runs off of donations from people like you - their customers. They can either round up their bill to the nearest dollar or they can contribute a flat amount.

OUC matches those dollars 2 for 1.

Boston says with a fixed income anything can help.

She feels, come this winter, more and more people are going to need the assistance of programs like 211.

For more information, please call 407-835-0900 and ask about the 211 program.