"Help Build the Start-up Toolkit" discussion

Join the National Wood Bank Project and Larry Brockman from the EPA Burn Wise Program on January 25th at 2pm EST for a discussion on the Wood Bank Start-up Toolkit. Do you have advice for wood banks just starting out? What do you wish you had known? Or are you just starting up and you have questions for wood banks that have been at this for years? Come share your questions and stories and help us build a Start-up Toolkit for future wood banks! Register here.

POLL: Interest in an online safety training

We'd like to gauge interest in an online safety training for firewood bank leadership. Click here to take a quick poll!

New Resource Sheet for Firewood Banks

Now is the time to contact your member of congress!

We recently added a new resource sheet for firewood banks, "Ask Your Member of Congress to Visit," to help you do just that.

Need help formulating outreach materials? Want us to hand deliver a letter to your congressperson's office on Capitol Hill? Email us!

Here are more examples of the resource sheets available on our resources page:

The Wood Shed

Profile in Compassion: Pattiann Bennett

This month we feature Pattiann Bennett, leader of the St Michael & All Angels Wood Ministry in Fortine, Montana. Read it here!

"We're doing something for someone else. It feels good to serve. Fun is a motivator...We have a lot of fun at the Wood Bank."

The Mystery Volunteer

Submitted by Ed Hultgren, with the SURV Firewood Bank out of Ozark, Missouri.

A short story about a mystery volunteer that, after one text, bucks an entire load of logs for their local firewood bank...even though the leader has never met them! Sparked your curiosity? Find the story here.

Firewood Banks in the News

Volunteers in Surry help keep some Maine homes warm for another winter

“We would love to say ‘yes’ to everybody that calls us up, but we just can’t do that. We don’t have the inventory to do that. So, what we’re trying to encourage people in outlying communities... wherever you might be from and you don’t have a program like ours, get one started in your community, let your church take care of it. Let your town get involved. Individuals like us can just jump in and get involved.”

Fortine, MT wood bank earns grant

"The wood bank has provided supplemental firewood to low-income veterans, the elderly, the disabled and families since 2011. It is operated completely by volunteers and donations all these years."

Firewood banks helping Americans who can't afford to heat their homes, PA

“‘We see the need constantly. If you look at the economy, people are hurting. Electricity is skyrocketing, home fuel oil is skyrocketing.’ Lawler added.”

"The firewood bank Lawler runs serves Blair County, Pennsylvania, a community where the median income hovers around $28,000. Calls come in from residents across the area struggling to pay their energy bills."

Wood banks looking for help this winter

“All of the existing wood banks are distributing their wood almost as quickly as they can produce it and dry it,” said Dr. Jessica Leahy.

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