The Standish Town Council voted Tuesday to create a new fund to help needy residents pay for heating fuel this winter.

Councilors allocated $500 from a contingency account. Two individual councilors, Terence Christy and Louis Stack, also donated $250 each to the fund.

Councilors Margaret Spencer and Karen Tompson plan to organize fundraising efforts, including a can and bottle redemption program, to help pay for the emergency assistance.

The fund, similar to those established in other towns because of rising fuel prices, would be separate from the general assistance program and focus on keeping residents' homes heated this winter.