National Grid Foundation Gives Big to Energy Assistance

Albany, NY - Winter is never easy for people struggling to keep up with increased energy bills. The looming polar vortex has caused heating costs to rise, further increasing the burden on families as they try to stay safe from the cold. Unplanned home repairs or doctors’ bills can push an already strained budget over the edge. For Greg and his family, an unexpected medical condition left them struggling to make ends meet.

“I woke up the day after Christmas morning, and I couldn’t move my left side,” said Greg, “I’d had a stroke.” Greg was facing a long recovery, and his wife took months off work to help out. With two teenagers to support, it didn’t take long for Greg and his family to feel financial stress. That’s when they came to Catholic Charities, and thanks to a grant from the National Grid Foundation, they were able to get the help they needed as Greg recovered. “I’m so grateful for programs like this,” said Greg, “that you’re not just put to the curb when you need help.”

With another very generous grant from the National Grid Foundation, Catholic Charities will continue to provide emergency assistance to people like Greg and his family. National Grid Foundation announced on Monday a significant grant of $120,000 for 2019 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in our area. The grant will help an estimated 550 households with non-fuel specific emergency heating or energy assistance in the fourteen counties served by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. As part of this effort, Catholic Charities and National Grid Foundation officials also announced a challenge to the greater community to donate to assist those in need with contributions to the Emergency Energy Assistance Fund (EEAF).

“We are pleased to be able to help our neighbors by supporting the emergency energy assistance program of Catholic Charities,” said Ed White, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation, “For the eleventh year in a row, this partnership will provide people in the greater Capital District and surrounding areas fuel-neutral assistance when they need it most. We encourage the community to lend a ‘warm helping hand’ this winter, and to join us in a donation to the Emergency Energy Assistance Fund.”  

About National Grid Foundation

National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life across its grant making territory. The Foundation’s ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation now in its 20th year has granted nearly $25 million to local community organizations.