In the face of federal fuel aid cutbacks, Community Action has restarted its Heat Up! campaign in an attempt to keep homes throughout the Valley warm this winter.

"There are people with no other avenues to heat their homes," said Clare Higgins, executive director of the regional anti-poverty agency. "A tank of oil is very expensive, and people are struggling to balance the need for food, fuel and medicine. There's just not enough to go around."

Heat Up! has existed in various forms at Community Action over the years and is a fundraising effort designed to rally the local community when federal funding for emergency fuel aid falls short. The guidelines that determine who is eligible for Heat Up! are less rigid than the federal funding. However, there is still an application process and all the money donated stays in the region.

Higgins said that this year the need is urgent.

Although winter just began officially Thursday, Community Action's director of energy programs, Peter Wingate, said that more than 500 families have already used up their available heating assistance and more than 1,000 families may be in the cold by the end of January.

"We don't know what they are going to do," said Wingate. "Many are sitting in cold homes."

This year, the approved budget for Community Action's fuel-assistance program was just over $5 million, less than last year's $7.3 million.

Estimates from the allotted budget place the maximum eligible benefit for heating assistance just over $600, depending on how the home is heated. Last year, the maximum was $1,100.

Higher fuel prices have only made matters worse. The average price was approximately $2.99 a gallon last year. This year, the price has been hovering around $3.60 a gallon.

"These are elderly people, people on unemployment and people with young children," said Higgins. "These are not folks who chose to be in the cold without food or medicine. If it was a choice, they would certainly be choosing something else."

The Heat Up! Campaign aims to raise $10,000 over the winter to augment its existing funding to heat homes across the region.

Those who want to donate may make checks payable to Community Action and mail them to Heat Up! 393 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301, or donate online at www.communityaction.us.