WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — As the Upper Valley heads into a costly heating season, an group of nonprofits will host what they are calling the Affordable Energy Resources Fair on Saturday.

The free event — co-hosted by Vital Communities, Efficiency Vermont’s Button Up Campaign, and Listen Community Services — hopes to provide tools to cut their energy costs. Drop-in hours are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Listen Community Services Dinner Hall at 42 Maple St. in White River Junction.

Knowing how to apply for energy bill assistance and whom to apply for it through can be complicated, said Anna Guenther, an energy and transportation project manager at Vital Communities. But with sky-high electric and fuel prices, those services are in higher demand than ever.

Vital Communities and volunteers representing some of the Community Action Programs, also known as CAPs, from Vermont and New Hampshire will provide information about weatherization, electric and fuel assistance programs.

“Generally (the CAPs) are in the peak of their season and work, so they aren’t able to represent themselves,” Guenther said. “But we have information to hand out directly from them, and we’ve tried to check in with them regarding wait times for their programs so that folks can know what to expect, especially if they’re applying for assistance for the first time.”

Representatives from Green Mountain Power, COVER Home Repair and WindowDressers are also scheduled to be on hand, and Listen will also be providing information about its Housing Helpers and Heating Helpers programs.

There will also be information about solar and energy efficiency rebates. People who live in their own homes — or in a rental that they can make changes to — can pick up free window plastic cover kits, door sweeps and other do-it-yourself weatherization materials.

“We’ve just tried to gather as many physical resources and information resources as possible and serving as wide a socio-economic spectrum as we can,” Guenther said. “We’re trying to have something for literally anyone who would walk in the door.”

Volunteers will be handing out take-home meals, warm socks and blankets as well.

“We really want to have a totally open, ask-me-anything event,” Guenther said. “Even if representatives can’t provide answers at the time, the program will include forms to help ensure follow-up.”

Frances Mize is a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at fmize@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.