Dead River Co. and Hannaford Supermarkets today announced a new program that will match supermarket customer donations to help Maine and New Hampshire residents pay their fuel bills this winter.

The "Share the Warmth" heating assistance campaign will provide up to $100,000 in matching funds, donated by Dead River, the largest distributor of heating fuels in northern New England.

The Dead River donations will match contributions from customers at Hannaford, which operates 167 stores in the Northeast. Customers may choose contribution options of $2 or $5 at supermarket checkout counters.

United Way will collect and administer the funds. Requests for fuel assistance through the 2-1-1 program have tripled compared to last year at this time, the agency's local president said.

"Right now people all across the state are unable to pay their fuel bills, and we are witnessing families struggling to make decisions on whether to buy food or heat their homes," said Meg Baxter of the United Way of Greater Portland.

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