Mainers who can’t afford to heat their homes need your help.
Tomorrow, for Giving Tuesday, Bangor Daily News and Pulse Marketing Agency are partnering with Maine Community Action Partnership and local banking leaders to raise funds for emergency heating assistance.
First National Bank, Bangor Savings Bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Machias Savings Bank have come together to join BDN and Pulse in pledging up to $5,000 for emergency heating assistance for families across the state.
That pledge will be unlocked by BDN readers during our livestreamed fundraising event on Tuesday.
How the match will work:
- Sign up for the live Giving Tuesday fundraising event so you’ll get notified when the match is happening.
- When the match window opens, make a donation to the Fund for BDN Reporting.
- During the window the sponsor pool will match all donations up to $5,000 dollar for dollar not to the BDN but to Maine Community Action Program for heating assistance.
- Maine Community Action Partnership will direct the up to $5000 raised to regional CAP programs where the need is greatest.
Why BDN is joining forces with Maine Community Action Partnership:
Home heating assistance is a lifeline for thousands of Maine households each year. This program is delivered through the Community Action Agencies across the state, and helps income-qualified Mainers afford the cost of staying warm during the winter months. This support may include help with fuel costs, emergency deliveries, and energy-related crisis services. For many families this assistance is essential. When compared nationally, the state of Maine faces higher rates of energy insecurity, compounded by limited access to affordable housing and higher transportation costs.
While eligibility is typically based on household income and size, the growing demand for assistance and reductions in available funding have made it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of all who qualify. As winter approaches, ensuring these programs are adequately resourced is more important than ever.
Your participation on Giving Tuesday helps ensure that no Mainer has to choose between heat and other basic necessities. Please join us on Facebook for the inaugural live fundraising event. And please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions at [email protected].
