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CHATHAM — Ontario’s soaring electricity prices are emptying the charitable coffers of churches in the southwestern part of the province that are being tapped by parishioners unable to pay their power bills.

The problem is so bad, one cleric in Wallaceburg says his church’s benevolent fund has gone into overdraft three times in the past two years — something he hadn’t seen in 24 years on the job — as people ask for help.

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“I know on paper, from my own accounting, I’ve overdrafted it three times” within the last two years, said Pastor Brian Horrobin of First Baptist Church in the town north of Chatham.

“There’s definitely been a marked increase in people coming for help,” said Horrobin, noting the same has happened at other churches in the area.

Horrobin said his church has either helped people pay outstanding hydro bills or given them pre-paid grocery cards because they can’t afford groceries after paying for electricity.