Cincinnati, OH (January 22, 2014) - The Salvation Army today announced that it has received $302,000 from Duke Energy Ohio and its customers for the HeatShare program for 2014. HeatShare funds provide financial assistance to pay for utilities to those in desperate need. In many cases, these individuals and families face shut-off of utilities and possible eviction as a result of their inability to stay current on their utility bills. The HeatShare program is available to Duke Energy customers in southwest Ohio starting Tuesday, January 21st. (For Duke Energy customers in Northern Kentucky, WinterCare funds are available, although these funds are not administered by The Salvation Army.)
The HeatShare funds come from multiple sources, including Duke Energy Ohio customers who voluntarily add a HeatShare contribution to their monthly bill, amounting to $102,000 this past year. Duke Energy Ohio provided a $100,000 donation, and then matched all customer and employee donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to an additional $100,000. Last year, the HeatShare program provided utility assistance to 1,160 families across Southwest Ohio.
"The HeatShare program has been helping local customers for many years, operating in Ohio since 1986," explained Cindy Givens, Program Manager at Duke Energy. "We're delighted to partner with our customers and The Salvation Army to provide this form of assistance to those in need. We entrust this program to the care of The Salvation Army because we have confidence in their management and distribution of the funds."
"We're very grateful to be able to assist those in need thanks to the generosity of Duke Energy and its customers," stated Major Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army. "The partnership with Duke Energy has extended over many years, and we take seriously the responsibility of ensuring that those who come to us in need of assistance with their utility bills receive help."
Duke Energy customers in Ohio in need of HeatShare assistance should contact their nearest Salvation Army Community Center to meet with a social worker. Those seeking assistance can call The Salvation Army's HeatShare hotline at 513-762-5636 for further guidance. Duke Energy customers in Northern Kentucky in need of WinterCare assistance should contact their county's Neighborhood Center or the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission at 859-581-6607, or visit: http://www.duke-energy.com/kentucky/special-assistance/winter-care.asp.
Duke Energy is offering an additional way for its customers to contribute to the HeatShare fund. Those choosing to recycle their operable refrigerator or freezer through Duke can choose to allocate the $30 recycling incentive to the HeatShare fund. For more information about Duke Energy's refrigerator recycling program, please call 1-855-398-6200, or visit http://www.duke-energy.com/ohio/savings/appliance-recycling.asp.
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