Heat fund hits halfway mark
PROVIDENCE - Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s ‘Keep The Heat On’ Challenge, fueled by a significant contribution from the proceeds of a benefit concert by Father Anthony Mancini and the Gregorian Concert Choir, reached the $37,500 half-way point.
The concert, which raised more than $8,000 for the Interfaith Community Dire Emergency Fund, was praised by Bishop Tobin. “The members of the Gregorian Concert Choir and orchestra, not only helped raise significant dollars, but they gave generously of their time and talent to assist others and I am very grateful.” Parish contributions from St. Ambrose, Lincoln; St. Catherine’s, Little Compton; and St. Peter’s, Warwick; and donations from the students at Bryant University¹s Sunday evening liturgy added another $6,000 to the total.
Beverly Palumbo, a retired intake worker for the diocesan Office of Community Services and Advocacy, along with Pauline Cardin and Roselyn Vredenburgh, return each year from Thanksgiving until Christmas because of the increased seasonal caseload. Palumbo said that the three workers with a combined 50 years of service have never seen situations so desperate.
“People working 40-60 hours a week just cannot pay the high housing costs and utilities,” she said.
Palumbo cited the case of Margaret, 43, who believes strongly that “God helps those in need, and that he asks us to be the ones to make that happen.” Margaret has always led campaigns to help others, but “this year I find myself on the other side.”
“I’ve worked hard all my life,” she said. She currently works full time in the fast food industry, earning a minimum wage. “I grab overtime as often as I can, but there are so many others at this job that are in the same position that you have to share the extra time.”
“I have Section 8 and for that I am grateful, but even with that, my pay is not covering the rest of the bills,” Margaret added. She earns on average $800 per month and her housing costs $267. She was supposed to make monthly payments of $300 in addition to current use to pay off an overdue bill. The original payment plan she was on with the gas company was $300.00 per month plus the cost of the current usage. In the end, she could not keep up.
“I am careful as I can be with the heat. I keep it at 58 degrees most of the time, but the cost just keeps going up,” she said. “I understand where the gas company is coming from - I used it I need to pay for it - but it cost so much to use.”
Margaret heard about the Bishop Tobin’s ‘Keep the Heat On’ Challenge through the George Wiley Center. She called Interfaith and staff directed her to assistance from the State¹s Energy Office. Once that assistance was pledged, the fund was able to step in and help her restore her heat.
“I’m still not out of the woods,” she said. “I still have to watch every penny. However, I want to say that this help has been a blessing for me. I want those who have already given to know I am very grateful and I hope many others will give so that no one goes cold this winter.”
To make a donation to Bishop Tobin’s ‘Keep the Heat On’ Challenge, make checks payable to Interfaith Community Dire Emergency Fund and mail them to the Office of Community Services and Advocacy, 184 Broad St., Providence, RI 02903-4029. To request heating assistance, please call 421-7833, ext. 107.
This article originally published in The Providence Visitor.