Howard County's chapter of the Salvation Army has received two grants totaling $37,500, mostly to help people who can't pay their electricity bills. A $30,000 energy assistance grant came from the Horizon Foundation, and $7,500 for general aid came from the Columbia Foundation, according to a statement from the Salvation Army. In the year ending Sept. 30, 2009, the county's Salvation Army Howard Service Center assisted 4,351 people, helping them with needs ranging from eviction prevention to energy assistance and social services. The center is at 9017 Red Branch road in Columbia.

-Larry Carson