Origin of Fuel & More

In the Fall of 2005, the clergy of Kittery, along with some of the Maine heating oil dealers of York County, gathered at the Town Hall to create a cooperative effort to collaborate with Kittery’s General Assistance Office and York County Community Action Services. Many of the clergy, as well as the members of the churches they represented, realized the gap between the State of Maine’s fuel assistance program and the needs of Kittery residents. Mrs. Kathy Pridham and Mr. Jon Carter from the Town of Kittery, Christine Johnson from South Berwick and Heather Roberge from York rallied with the Kittery clergy led by Rev. William Humphrey, along with Kent Davis of Davis Oil Service, Inc. and Mike Estes of Estes’ Burner Services, Inc., to create Fuel & More.

What started out as a consortium to help Kittery residents with kerosene, blend and heating oil, has grown to what is now celebrating its 20th year in existence. Since its inception, Fuel & More has always been led by and functions fully with volunteers. The work of the Board of Directors, intake workers, dispatchers, and validators has been and continues to be done fully by volunteers. In 2014, Fuel & More transitioned from a town sponsored organization to its own 501c3 nonprofit entity. Over time, Fuel & More has grown to cover a range of fuel, such as propane and electricity. It has extended its benefits through MORE for unexpected emergencies to now providing year-round assistance to the people of Kittery.