Contact: Kreda Yokley, executive director
Phone: 615-742-1113
E-mail:
mckyokley@aol.com
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DATE: June 12, 2006
Rounding up on gas bill helps poor keep
utilities
Piedmont deal is voluntary
LEBANON –
A few cents extra on a monthly natural gas bill could mean millions in aid
for the poor to keep their utilities on.
Officials say more money will be crucial because need has doubled at the
same time federal funds are to be cut in half.
In a new program launched Wednesday, Piedmont Natural Gas customers can
have bills rounded up each month, with the difference donated to the
company's Share the Warmth charity. A
similar program by Nashville Electric Service, Change for Charity, was
canceled last fall when customers objected to having to opt out of
contributing.
Share the Warmth's round-up is strictly an opt-in option.
Participation is absolutely the customer's choice," said Michael Yount,
Piedmont senior vice president. It will cost less than $12 a year for a
customer.
"It is literally small change to many of us," Yount said.
“Proper nutrition is vital to the well-being of our senior citizens,”
said Kreda Yokley, the executive director of MCCAA. “Too often our
seniors struggle to keep up with every-day expenses.
“The costs of their medicines, for example, are going through the roof.
Heating and cooling their homes is also increasing as energy costs continue
to rise. Many are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place
financially. Fortunately we can help those seniors who qualify with our
nutrition services.”
MCCAA works in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
the Tennessee Emergency Food Assistance Program to distribute non-perishable
food items in seven Middle Tennessee counties, which include Cheatham,
Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson.
But 10,000 customers' contributions could add up to about $70,000 in
aid. All 1 million Piedmont customers, at 50 cents a month, could add up
to $6 million a year.
To kick off the effort, Piedmont donated $100,000. And if 100,000
customers sign up within the next 60 days, the company will match it
with $50,000.
The kickoff came on the steps of the Historic Courthouse Wednesday
morning. Yount and more than 65 Piedmont employees wore orange fleece
scarves, which they used to wipe sweat off their faces as the
temperature and humidity rose.
"But in a few months the weather will turn cold and lots of folks will
be in need," said Cynthia Croom, head of the Metro Action Commission,
which will funnel the Share the Warmth funds in Nashville.
Mid-Cumberland Action Commission will serve surrounding counties.
“We have about 30 volunteers in the county who help us distribute food
every quarter,” Brooks said. “Our volunteers are very dedicated and are an
integral part of what we do here in Wilson County.”
Agencies give help
Those two agencies helped more than 20,000 households pay energy bills
this past year. Metro Action saw twice as many applications this year as
last year, Croom said.
Families qualify based on income. For example, a single person must make
less than $1,083 and a family of four less than $2,208 a month to
qualify. They can receive an average of $400 in a one-time credit once a
year.
Nashville received $5 million in federal low-energy assistance last
year, ending June 30. That only provides for 15 percent of the eligible
households.
"And we expect to see the funding will be half" this year, said Croom.
In past years, that has meant money is exhausted by early spring, and
thousands of qualified applicants are left on a waiting list. Piedmont
aid can pay for any energy bill, whether it is natural gas, electricity
or propane.
Yount announced the new donation program Wednesday in Nashville.
Piedmont serves Davidson, Cheatham, Rutherford, Robertson, Sumner,
Williamson, Wilson, Dickson and Trousdale counties.
For more information on how to "round up" your Piedmont Natural Gas Bill
click here
For additional information about the services provided by Mid-Cumberland
Community Action Agency, click here
