Firewood Bank Assistance Program Freeze

The new administration has frozen payments on many federal programs, including the Firewood Bank Assistance Program. At the moment, we do not know if it will restart, or if there will be another cycle of grants for firewood banks, as Congress stipulated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program was supposed to go for five years and is currently finishing its third year. We know many of you are eager for news about another year of firewood bank grants, and we appreciate your patience.

We will share updates in the next Firewood Bank Commons, and in Green Heat News, our more general wood & pellet heat newsletter.

2nd National Wood Bank Summit

March 7th, 2025 from 1 to 4 PM (EST)

Please register HERE!

It's up to all of us to strengthen this network, help banks support other banks, and keep the vital U.S. Forest Service funding for it.

Get involved. Do what you can.

Firewood Banks as a Movement

There are more than 179 firewood banks and firewood distribution programs in the United States that serve thousands of rural homes every year.

Firewood as a source of heat is unique. It's been used since time immemorial, it's a local form of energy, and it's a reliable emergency heat for communities across the nation when nothing else works.

Firewood banks, generally run by volunteers or a small group of dedicated staff, make sure their neighbors stay alive by providing them firewood when it's needed the most. It's time to invest in this traditional energy source and make it more accessible for households that use it.

Pictured (left to right): North Idaho Firewood Rescue, Royal Order of the Red Suspenders, Pikyanivi Wood Haulers-Warmth for Hopi & Tewa.

EPA Burn Wise Free Education Materials

Firewood Storage Shed Material List

Dry seasoned wood provides the most heat and the least smoke. This material list for a home's firewood storage totals $286.76. That's out of reach for a lot of homes that struggle to afford firewood, but it's a great resource for firewood banks that could organize to provide the labor and materials for their recipients!

New Resource Sheet for Firewood Banks

We've just added a new resource sheet for firewood banks, "2025 Federal Legislature Contact Guide." This is an addition to our other resource sheet, "Ask Your Member of Congress to Visit!"

Check out all of our firewood bank resource sheets here.

Have a suggestion? Let us hear it!

Social Media Spotlight

St Michael & All Angels Wood Bank Ministry Work Day

St. Michael & All Angels Wood Bank Ministry posted photos from their February 1st, 2025 work day on their Facebook page, captioned, "February 1 Work Day...9:00 AM we flow through the gate ready to go...by 11 we're loading trucks..."

Firewood Banks in the News

Tribal Firewood Program with Proud Past Works for Bright Hi-Tech Future

"The Nimiipuu Supplemental Firewood Program is more than a community service — it is a testament to the Nez Perce Tribe’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to sustainability."

"By blending traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology, the program addresses immediate needs while laying the foundation for future generations."

Freeport Wood Bank (ME) Offers Fuel Assistance to Those in Need

“‘There's a need right here for food and fuel assistance,’ Freeport Wood Bank Co-founder Tony DiMarco said. ‘A lot of people rely on wood to heat their homes, especially in Maine, but you know, sometimes they fall on hard times and a cord of wood can be really expensive.’”

Sunny View Clubhouse Expands Community Support with New Programs (NC)

“The Clubhouse has also launched the Sunny View Firewood Bank, a new program that supplies free firewood to residents facing economic hardships, particularly during the colder months.”

Happy Valentine's Day! And remember...

Do you have firewood bank stories to tell or resources to share? Email us!

This February 2025 Firewood Bank Commons newsletter was funded by the Alliance for Green Heat.