At Lakes and Pines Community Action Council in Mora, ECE's Caring Members program is considered a lifesaver. Clients of the Tri-County Action Program (Tri-CAP) in St. Cloud are spared the desperate choice between having electricity or buying groceries, thanks to Caring Members. 

For both agencies, the program fills the gap each year between the start of their energy assistance period and the arrival of their fuel assistance funds.  

Developed by ECE in 1993, Caring Members gives ECE members and others the opportunity to help the elderly, the disabled and families in need pay utility bills during the cold weather months. ECE matches member contributions to the program, which doubles the amount of help available to those in need. The funds are disbursed by the community action agencies.