Long Island’s Only Non-Governmental Fuel Emergency Heating Fund
The winter months can be perilous for families and individuals who are struggling to afford their home heating bills. Lowering the temperature inside can pose serious health risks, especially to seniors and children. United Way of Long Island’s Project Warmth provides one-time grant payments made directly to oil and utility companies on behalf of residents facing a heating emergency. Project Warmth opens to the public on December 3, 2018 and will remain open until all funds are depleted.
More than 30% of families on Long Island struggle to make ends meet despite living above the poverty income threshold and being gainfully employed. As Long Island’s only non-governmental, Island-wide emergency heating fund, Project Warmth is available during winter months as a safety net for individuals and families who are facing energy insecurity and are unable to pay their heating bill. Many of these residents have already exhausted all other options for assistance and are forced to choose between heating their home or purchasing food and medicine.
“Long Islanders are working hard for the wages they earn, but unfortunately those wages might not be enough to cover life’s basic costs,” explains Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “Project Warmth provides a critical service to the approximately 1,000 families, each year, who experience cost of living increases during the winter months. It is United Way of Long Island’s responsibility to ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors stay safe and warm this season.”
For assistance from Project Warmth, contact United Way of Long Island’s 2-1-1 service by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-774-7633) 7 days a week, 9:00am-5:00pm, for referrals to an intake site, or visit www.211longisland.org.
Project Warmth is made possible through the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations. This includes leading sponsors: National Grid Foundation, National Grid, Northville Industries, PSEG Long Island, Flushing Bank, Petro Home Services, Oil Heat Institute, JPMorgan Chase, Vane Line Bunkering, Inc., Carbo Industries, Inc., The Jones Fund for Support of the Poor, and The Horace and Amy Hagedorn Fund.
About Project Warmth
Since its inception in 1994, Project Warmth has provided more than $10 million in emergency funding to more than 94,000 children and adults. To support Project Warmth, please make a contribution on United Way of Long Island’s website at www.unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth.