Help Warm Thy Neighbor

Due to colder temperatures, in combination with high prices for essential everyday items including food, rent and utilities, more and more Rhode Island households that are not eligible for federal or state assistance are finding themselves in temporary crisis and in desperate need of home heating assistance. Thankfully, the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund, administered by United Way of Rhode Island, is available to provide some warmth.

The Fund, sponsored by Block Island Utility District, Ocean State Power, Pascoag Utility District, Petro Home Services, Rhode Island Energy and RISEC, is often the last resort for families who are in need of a little help to get through a tough time. With this in mind, those looking for assistance from the Fund should visit the nearest Community Action Program (CAP) agency or call the United Way 2-1-1 information line to determine eligibility.

Unfortunately, we expect the urgency of need for energy assistance to continue to escalate the rest of the winter and into the spring. To help us satisfy the more than 1,000 requests for heating assistance anticipated this winter alone, I appeal to everyone in the state to join the sponsoring energy companies to “Warm Thy Neighbor.”

Rhode Islanders can give to the Fund by mailing the yellow Good Neighbor Energy Fund donation envelope found as an insert in monthly utility bills, by scanning the QR code on the donation envelope, texting WARM to 91999, using a credit or debit card at www.rhodeislandgoodneighbor.org or by sending a check, payable to “Good Neighbor Energy Fund”, to Good Neighbor Energy Fund, c/o United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909-2459.

On behalf of all those families in need, thank you.

Kirkwood is 2024 GNEF Campaign Chairperson and General Manager & CEO, Pascoag Utility District