Babette watches her propane use closely during the winter. A minimum order to refill her tank costs about $200 and usually lasts a month and a half, sometimes two if she is careful. To keep her home warm in Porcupine, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, she also relies on space heaters. 

Babette lives with three other family members and relies on Social Security and disability checks for income. She worked at the hospital in Pine Ridge until her husband fell ill, then quit to care for him at home until he passed. 

This winter, Babette received propane assistance after our program partner, Julie, utilized the Winter Fuel service of Northern Plains Reservation Aid® (NPRA), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA). The Winter Fuel service helped Elders in Porcupine cover propane and electric bills. 

“It’s good to watch people see what’s being done for them,” says Julie. “It opens up a willingness for feedback, sharing stories, and appreciation. I am always appreciative of what PWNA does for our Elders and people on our reservation.”  

With the money saved from the Winter Fuel service, Babette said she could focus on Christmas presents for her family. It also helped her save money for her biggest expense: groceries. 

Fewer than 1,000 people live in Porcupine, and the poverty rate is 82%. For many families, rising costs mean every bill is a careful calculation. 

“With the prices going up, it’s just ridiculous,” says Babette. “Hopefully, someday [the prices] will go down. I’m still paying $3 for a dozen eggs. A loaf of bread is $5.” 

Winter storms have made life even harder. Babette says she has been trapped at home in the past because of snow, and once lost power for eight hours. The roads can be dangerous, and her street is one of the last to be plowed. 

“It means a lot to me for [donors] to help,” says Babette. “I’m very blessed they were able to help us. I’m very thankful for them.”  

This support wasn’t limited to one household. Another community member, Melvin R., also received assistance, this time with his electric bill. He says high prices have affected nearly everyone he knows. 

“The low-income people don’t get a lot of money, and then you go to the store, and the prices are so high that it’s hard to make all the payments,” says Melvin. “We’re all in the same boat. The food prices, the gas prices — getting around, trying to get anything done is hard.” 

Melvin lives with his son and wife and hasn’t been able to work since the 1970s after he and his wife were injured in a work accident.  

“I don’t get much money from Social Security, and with the price of everything nowadays, it really helps out,” says Melvin, of the heat assistance.  

His biggest expense is his electric bill. He uses space heaters and an electric stove to keep his home warm. During blizzards, travel can be difficult since he lives about a mile off the main road. 

“I have a hard time getting in or out,” he says. “The snow gets deep; it’s hard to get through.” 

For families like Babette’s and Melvin’s, winter is a season of tough choices: between heat and groceries, between keeping the lights on and affording the basics. Through the NPRA Winter Fuel service, households across Porcupine were able to stay warm, stretch limited incomes, and face the cold months with a little more stability and peace of mind.