PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence has announced that the National Grid Foundation has made another major gift donation for its Keep the Heat On heating assistance program. The donation of $250,000 is the eighth major gift that the heating assistance program has accepted from the Foundation and the largest to date, more than double last year’s donation of $100,000.
“The Diocese of Providence is very grateful to the National Grid Foundation for its wonderful donation to the Keep the Heat On program,” said Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. “This generous gift will warm many hearts and homes in the days and weeks to come. In the name of all those who will directly benefit from our heating assistance program, a sincere ‘thank you’ to the National Grid Foundation!”
During a special check presentation, Bishop Tobin shared his gratitude toward the foundation for their continued support of the program.
“What I appreciate so much about Keep the Heat On is that it is such direct service. We get the money in and it goes back to people in need who have nowhere else to turn. It really does make a difference.”
“We are pleased to again be able to help our neighbors by not only continuing our annual support of Keep the Heat On,” 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 like Catholic Social Services of Rhode Island as they deliver so many much-needed services at this difficult time.”
Jim Jahnz, secretary for Catholic Charities and Social Ministry for the diocese said that due to the pandemic and rising fuel costs, this has been Keep the Heat On’s busiest year ever, giving out close to $290,000. Since its inception in 2005, Keep the Heat On has raised more than $3.65 million to help 15,000 families and individuals in Rhode Island with heating assistance. Over the last eight years, the National Grid Foundation has provided a total of $915,000 to the diocesan heating assistance program.
To make a secure donation online, or to learn about how to pay by check, please visit www.heatri.com/donate.
For those seeking heating assistance, please visit www.heatri.com/apply-for-help.
