Bay State Gas Company Appeals for Donations to the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund
Westborough, MA, February 22, 2010 – Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund sponsor, Bay State Gas Company, is appealing to local Massachusetts' residents to consider a donation to the Fund's 2009-'10 "Give the Gift of Warmth" campaign. Due to the struggling economy and cold winter temperatures, The Salvation Army, which is the Fund's administrator, is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of requests for energy assistance this winter season.
The twenty-fifth 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 2009-'10 goal is to raise $650,000 and help more than 2,225 households.
"In combination with the colder temperatures, the state's unemployment rate is very high so it's not surprising that we're experiencing an increase in the number of inquiries by those in need of energy assistance," said Major Robert Goding of The Salvation Army. "We appeal to the giving spirit of all our neighbors in the state and ask that you consider enclosing a donation of any amount with the green envelopes found in your utility bills." Goding added that many of the calls The Salvation Army is receiving are from people who have never asked for assistance 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 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 $38,087 and $50,783 to qualify. A household of 4 would need to have a yearly income of between $56,011 and $74,681 to qualify, etc. This year's Fund disbursement is $300 per eligible household per heating season.
"Twenty-three utilities in the Commonwealth, including Bay State Gas, support the Fund through various matching and giving programs," stated Kara Gray, Low Income Program Manager for Bay State Gas and Fund board member. "But the generosity of all our energy customers is the key to keeping our neighbors in need warm this year."
Massachusetts residents who wish to support the Fund can "Give the Gift of Warmth" by using the mint green-colored Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in the monthly energy bills of sponsoring utilities or through the 'add a dollar' program some energy companies offer which allows customers to increase their monthly bill payment by one dollar or more. Customers can also donate on-line by visiting www.magoodneighbor.org or by simply mailing a check payable to "Good Neighbor Energy Fund" and send it to The Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Street, Canton, MA 02021-1408. Bay State Gas also supports their customers' generosity through various local charitable giving programs throughout the company's natural gas service territory.
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. Web: www.magoodneighbor.org. Those interested may also call Bay State Gas Company at (800) 882-5454 of visit www.baystategas.com .