March 16, 2006
The Good Neighbor Energy
Fund and its utility sponsors are appealing to
Massachusetts residents to consider a donation to the
Fund's 2005 - 2006 "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign.
The Salvation Army, the Fund’s administrator, is seeing
more than a 20 percent increase in the number of
requests for energy assistance this winter season.
The 21st annual campaign is a cooperative effort between the state's energy companies, the general public and The Salvation Army to provide energy assistance to those Massachusetts families 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's 2005 – 2006 goal is to raise $675,000 and help more than 3,250 families.
"Everything costs more these days, from food, to gas for the car, to energy to heat our homes,” said Captain Terry Shaffer of The Salvation Army. “These heightened costs have led to an increase in the number of inquiries we've been receiving by those in need of energy assistance, many of whom have never had to ask for help before.”
The Fund is often the last resort for families who are not eligible for federal and state assistance programs. To qualify for assistance from the Fund, an applicant's gross household income must fall between specified Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. This year's maximum Fund disbursement is $275 per eligible household per heating season.
"Twenty utilities in the Commonwealth, including NSTAR, support the Fund through various matching and giving programs,” said Mary Molloy, fund coordinator for NSTAR. “The generosity of our customers is the key to helping all our neighbors in need to better afford their heating costs this year.”
Massachusetts residents who wish to support the Fund can “Give the Gift of Warmth” by donating online at www.magoodneighbor.org or by simply mailing a check payable to "The Good Neighbor Energy Fund" to:
The Salvation Army
147 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
For more information on the Fund and how to apply, energy customers can visit their local Salvation Army service center, call 800-334-3047, or visit www.magoodneighbor.org.
