Matching Gift Opportunity!
AIO Announces a Generous Matching Grant Opportunity to Help Community Members facing Power Shut Off
Most people may think of April 15th as Tax Day, but for many in the community it is also the day they face power shut off. That’s right, in the State of Maine, power companies can’t shut off power for individual households from 11/15 until 4/15, for non-payment. Maine winters are always long, but this past winter (dare we call it past?!) we experienced severe, extended cold, and when combined with the higher CMP bills, the high cost of food and now gasoline, many are facing hard choices about what to let go—power, medical, food, housing. The Maine Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council estimates there are about 100,000 households in Maine who struggle to pay their energy bills and the average energy gap is about $700.
AIO’s Energy Assistance Program offers year round help with power and fuel bills, but in the Spring each year, it has helped families facing shut-off. As this season approached, an aware and concerned community supporter wanted to help and AIO is the recipient of a $120,000 matching opportunity:
If AIO can raise $60,000, it will unlock the $120,000 gift, creating a fund of $180,000 to prevent shut off.
AIO seeks the help of the community to raise this $60,000 in the month of April, through this amazing opportunity to have every dollar donated be worth three dollars in help. Donations go to work immediately and will help an estimated 900 community members. Donations can be made online or checks can be mailed to AIO, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841. Please note Spring Energy Challenge.