SPRINGFIELD – Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund sponsor, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, is appealing to local residents to consider a donation to the Fund’s 2013-2014 “Give the Gift of Warmth” campaign. The Company and the Fund’s administrator, The Salvation Army, have seen a heightened urgency of need due to the bitter cold temperatures this winter, an economy that has been slow to recover, and the relatively high cost of living. At the same time, donations to the Fund are falling short of demand.
The twenty-ninth annual campaign is a cooperative effort between the State’s sponsoring utilities, the general public and The Salvation Army, to provide 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 Good Neighbor campaign goal is to raise $550,000 and help more than 2,000 households.
“We have been experiencing an increase in the number of inquiries by those families in the State who are in need of energy assistance,” said Major David Kelly of The Salvation Army. “We think this can be largely attributed to the bitter cold temperatures over the last month or two, along with the relatively high cost of living. With this in mind, we ask that all our neighbors consider enclosing a gift of any amount in the green donation envelopes found in your utility bills, or by donating online at www.magoodneighbor.org.”
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 $41,932 and $55,908 to qualify. A household of 4 would need to have a yearly gross income of between $61,664 and $82,218 to qualify, etc. This year’s Fund disbursement is $250 per eligible household per heating season.
“Twenty-five utilities in the Commonwealth, including Columbia Gas, support the Fund through various giving programs,” said Steve Bryant, Columbia Gas president. “But the generosity of all our energy customers is another key to keeping our neighbors in need warm this winter.”
Massachusetts residents who wish to support the Fund can “Give the Gift of Warmth” by using the mint-colored Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly energy bills or through the ‘add a dollar’ program some energy companies offer which allows customers to contribute on their monthly bill payment by one dollar or more. Customers can also donate with a credit card on-line by visiting www.magoodneighbor.org and checking the appropriate box or by calling 1-800- SAL-ARMY. Or, donors can simply mail a check payable to “The Good Neighbor Energy Fund” and send it to The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, Massachusetts 02021. Participating energy companies support their respective customers’ generosity through various giving programs.
For more information on the Fund and how to apply, visit your local Salvation Army Service Center or call (800) 262-1320 if you live in area code 413 or (800) 334-3047 if you live in area codes 508, 617, 781 or 978.
