SEATTLE -- The Alexanders may have to learn to live in the dark.

Their house will soon have its electricity shut off because the family has no money to pay the bill.

"I'm crying, I'm dying, I'm hurting," said dad Karvin Alexander. "Look at them (my kids). Look at them lookin' at me. They've never seen their Dad break."

One of the family members already knows how to get around in darkness. Nikkie Alexander is blind.

Nikkie worries about her children, but the family has no one to turn to. In the past the family has been able to rely on Seattle City Light to help make ends meet, but the utility is no longer an option.

Seattle City Light is aware of the family's situation, but the utility is out of funds and out of ideas.

Its Project Share program collects donations in order to help low-income families keep their lights on. But the coffers of the critical assistance program are empty.

"It's been a very effective program but it does have its limits," said Scott Thomson with Seattle City Light. "(With) those folks who we are able to help, (we) make a big difference in people's lives. Unfortunately there are more people out there right now than we can reach."

The utility is stretched thin, and so are the Alexanders.

While many others are concerned about skyrocketing gas prices, the Alexanders are concerned about much smaller costs. Food stamps are no longer enough to put food on the table.

"So we have to spend so much more cash on food and it's so expensive. Bread went up, everything is 30 cents here, 40 cents here," said Nikkie.

"I don't have anymore (money), period," Karvin said. "It doesn't make a difference if they cut it (the electricity) off or not because if they cut it off, I can't get it back on.

"I can't make oatmeal for this boy and this girl in the morning," Karvin said, pointing to his children. "I can not store their milk,"

Anyone can donate to Project Share online. Customers can have a set amount added to their electricity bill.

The donations are tax deductible and 100 percent of the amount is used to help low-income residents keep their electricity on.