St. Louis, MO  (KTRS)  The 18th annual Hardee’s Rise N’ Shine fundraiser for Heat Up St. Louis is underway this morning.

This year`s theme is Have A Heart, Heat A Home. The fundraiser is aimed at raising money to help the needy with utility assistance.

“Even with the winter thaw, this current winter season, has shown no mercy,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., “The last week of Christmas, 2017 and through this week, has been one bombard after another in high demands. Old Man Winter has shown no mercy for our most vulnerable. And thank goodness for our annual Hardee’s Rise ‘N Shine fundraising, where 100% collected will be used for MO/IL area qualified needy.”

Participating Hardee’s Restaurants are offering sausage and egg biscuits for a dollar this morning, with all proceeds going to Heat Up St. Louis. Last years fundraiser brought in $303,000.

More information about the event and donating to Heat Up St. Louis is available online at http://heatupstlouis.org.