AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The U.S. dollar just doesn't stretch quite as far as it used to and that can make it hard to pay off all of those bills. But, Panhandle Community Services might be able to help.

PCS received $700,000 just to help pay the utility bills of Panhandle residents. To qualify and have those bills paid off for one month, you just need to head to PCS Thursday morning, as early as 6:30 in the morning, with proof of income for the last 30 days, copies of your gas and electric bills and the social security numbers of everyone in your household.

"The reason that this is so good is we're coming up on the holidays and we just want to be able to take the load off," said PCS Executive Director Phyllis Cook. "Maybe if we pay a gas bill or an electric bill, maybe that can buy their medicine this month or maybe they can actually have Thanksgiving this month."

It's the satisfaction of knowing they helped someone else, even if just for the month, that PCS employees say makes their job worthwhile.

"The best part of my job, what I really like is seeing the smile on their faces when they know they can get the help," said PCS Program Specialist, Mark Cobbs. "That's a good feeling. To know that we're doing something, we're making a difference not just in a person but in a family," he added.

Cook says making a difference in their finances, in their families and in their lives is exactly what they hope this program will do.

"You know, they're not living, they're existing," she said. "We want to help them be able to live just a little better."

The Utility Program is first come first serve, so be sure to get there early. You can find the Panhandle Community Services Amarillo office at 1309 W. 8th.