PROVIDENCE — Bishop Thomas J. Tobin today expressed his gratitude to an anonymous supporter of the “Keep the Heat On” campaign who has pledged $75,000 in matching grants to the heating assistance program. As a result of this matching gift, every dollar donated to “Keep the Heat On” up to $75,000 will be doubled. This gift pledge is the largest donated by an individual to the campaign.
“As state and federal resources tighten, this is wonderful news for those families who simply cannot keep pace with escalating energy costs,” said Bishop Tobin. “This generous donation will enable ‘Keep the Heat On’ to provide assistance to hundreds of households with no place left to turn for help. The campaign and those it supports is blessed to have such generous supporters and we will continue to pray for those in need and those who have given so selflessly of themselves to help their fellow neighbor.”
The family, who did not wish to be identified, made the unprecedented donation to “Keep the Heat On” given the high cost of fuel this winter season.
“Almost daily, we hear the stories of despair from Rhode Islanders, many who work two jobs yet still cannot afford escalating heating costs,” said Richard G. Andrade, “Keep the Heat On” Program Coordinator.
“This generous matching grant is a clear sign that God is indeed listening to our prayers for those in need so that they too may have access to a basic human right.”
“Keep the Heat On” provides heating assistance for struggling individuals and families who have exhausted all other public and private aid. “Keep the Heat On” is supported by generous donors and is matched — dollar for dollar — up to $75,000 per year with a matching grant from the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Charity Fund. As a result of the generous anonymous matching grant, a total of $150,000 will be matched this year.
