CANTON – The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is appealing to Massachusetts’ residents and businesses to consider a donation to the Fund’s 2015 “Give the Gift of Warmth” campaign due to a heightened urgency of need brought on by the string of snow storms and bitter cold temperatures the state has been experiencing.
The Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides energy assistance to those Massachusetts households who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and are not eligible for state or federal energy assistance funds.The 30th annual campaign is a cooperative effort between the state’s sponsoring energy companies, the general public and The Salvation Army which administers the Fund. The campaign’s 2014-15 goal is to raise $550,000 and help more than 1,750 households.
“The Fund has experienced an increase in the number of inquiries by those families in the state who are in need of energy assistance,” said Virginia Anthony of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and chairperson of the 2015 Good Neighbor Energy Fund campaign. “We think this can be largely attributed to the severe weather we’ve had over the last month. With this in mind, we ask that all our neighbors in the state consider enclosing a gift of any amount in the green donation envelopes found in their utility bills or donating online at www.magoodneighbor.org.”
The Fund is often the last resort for families who have not qualified for federal and state assistance programs. To qualify for assistance from the Fund, an applicant’s gross household income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state’s median income levels. For example, a household size of 2 would need to have a total gross yearly income of between $42,654 and $56,872 to qualify. A household of 6 would need to have a yearly income of between $82,800 and $110,400 to qualify, etc.This year’s Fund disbursement is $275 per eligible household for the heating season.
“Twenty-three utilities in the Commonwealth, including Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Eversource, Unitil, Liberty Utilities, National Grid and Berkshire Gas just to name a few, support the Fund through various giving programs,” said Anthony. “However, the generosity of energy customers is the key to keeping our neighbors in need warm this year.”
Residents and businesses that wish to support the Fund can “Give the Gift of Warmth” by using the green-colored Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills. Some energy companies offer an ‘add a dollar’ program which allows customers to contribute on their monthly bill payment by one dollar or more. Anyone can also donate with a credit card online by visiting www.magoodneighbor.org and checking the appropriate box or by calling 1-800-725-2769. Donors can also simply mail a check payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund”, c/o The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Massachusetts, 02021-1408.
For more information on the Fund and how to apply, visit your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or call (800) 334-3047 if you live in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978 or (800) 262-1320 if you live in area code 413.
