February 21, 2022 at 8:26 p.m.
National Grid Foundation commits $250K to energy assistance
National Grid Foundation commits $250K to energy assistance
Now in its 14th year, this annual grant helps families across the region pay their energy bills through Catholic Charities’ Emergency Energy Assistance Fund (EEAF). The fund supports residents across 14 upstate New York counties, many of whom have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the inflated costs of groceries, gas and home energy.
Recognizing the increase in need and cost, the foundation has consistently increased the value of this grant — from $20,000 in 2009 to today’s $250,000. Catholic Charities estimates the funding has helped 17,000 people to date. In 2022, Catholic Charities anticipates serving another 1,000 people across 450 homes through the EEAF.
People like Jean Haven, who was unable to pay her bills when an unexpected COVID diagnosis kept her and her husband out of work.
“This was back when quarantine times were longer,” Haven said. “We were both out of work for 10 days. In that time, rent was still due and bills were still coming out of our account.”
Through the EEAF, the Havens were able to keep the lights on and stay ahead of their bills until they were both back at work.
“It’s a godsend for so many families,” said Vincent W. Colonno, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. “Especially right now. We used to be able to assist families with energy costs for $200 or $300. Over time, that amount has increased with cost of living. Now, it can take up to $600 to get a family back on track.”
“Roughly one in three requests we get are for heating assistance,” added Sally Zgolinski, director of Community Services for Catholic Charities Tri-County Services. Zgolinski works directly with individuals in need of financial assistance, including emergency energy assistance. “Even more people are coming to us as winter drags on. People have already used up their heating budgets and it’s still cold out. Now what?”
National Grid Foundation presented the $250,000 grant to Catholic Charities at center court during Siena’s men’s basketball game against St. Peter’s on Feb. 20.
“We are pleased to again be able to help our neighbors by not only continuing our annual support of Emergency Energy Assistance Services,” said Ed White, executive director of the National Grid Foundation, “but we are especially thrilled to be able to provide additional funding to offer even more relief for fuel-neutral energy costs during this unprecedented situation. We have a long history of serving as a community partner and understand the critical need in our communities. We are grateful to organizations such as Catholic Charities of Albany as they deliver so many much-needed services at this difficult time.”
“Our partnership with National Grid Foundation will help people better afford electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood – whatever they need to keep safe from the cold,” added Colonno. “I am thankful that we can provide this support to people who are working hard to pay their bills. Nobody should have to choose between keeping warm or keeping food on the table.”
Last year, and into early 2022, the National Grid Foundation continued helping its neighbors with food access, human services and emergency heating fund support assisting local communities impacted by COVID-19. Under a $1.5 million donation, more than 50 non-profit organizations, including Catholic Charities, across New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, helped thousands of individuals receive assistance with basic human needs, hunger relief and fuel-neutral winter energy costs. During 2020, the National Grid Foundation Board of Directors approved a total of $2 million in COVID-support and emergency services funding to aid communities in need.
Officials from Catholic Charities and the National Grid Foundation are providing community members with the opportunity to support their neighbors by making a donation to the EEAF. Community members can do so by visiting www.ccrcda.org to make a gift and noting “Energy Assistance” in the comments.
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