Keep the Heat On

Bishop Announces $50K Catholic Charity Fund Grant to Provide Immediate Assistance to those in Need

(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)-The Most. Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence kicked-off the 4th Annual ‘Keep the Heat On’ campaign with a walk on Saturday, November 8th, 10:00 a.m. down Blackstone Boulevard in Providence. Proceeds raised from the walk provide heating assistance for struggling individuals and families who have exhausted all other public and private aid.

Before the walk, the Bishop announced a $50,000 grant from the Catholic Charity Fund that will enable ‘Keep the Heat On’ to immediately assist Rhode Islanders in need with their heating needs.

Since it was established in 2005, ‘Keep the Heat On’ has provided more than $600,000 in heating assistance to more than 2,000 Rhode Island households through grants from the Catholic diocese and private contributions.

“Unstable heating costs coupled with rising unemployment and a challenged economy has left many Rhode Islanders forced to make difficult decisions,” said Bishop Tobin. “This walk to help Rhode Island individuals and families ‘Keep the Heat On’ is but one way we can help our neighbors in need. Keep the Heat on is yet another example of how the Catholic Church in Rhode Island is making a real difference in the lives of many in this state, regardless of their faith.”

Last year, more than 580 individuals and organizations contributed $132,983 to the fund, far surpassing the $75,000 goal. Combined with a Catholic Charity Fund grant and a grant from an anonymous individual, a total of $282,983 was made available to assist more than 890 struggling Rhode Island households with their oil, natural gas and electric heating needs.
Those who would like to make a donation to ‘Keep the Heat On’ may send a check made payable to ‘Keep the Heat On’ and mailed to 184 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, or visit www.heatri.com and use the secure web server for credit card donations.

Keep the Heat On, formerly Interfaith Dire Emergency Fund, is a resource established in 1978 by the Interfaith Leadership to assist those who have exhausted all other means of heating assistance including federal, state, and private. Responding to skyrocketing heating costs since 2005, Bishop Tobin renamed the effort ‘Keep the Heat On’, adding resources from the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Charity Fund. ‘Keep the Heat On’ is administered by the diocesan Office of Community Services and Advocacy and assists those in need throughout Rhode Island regardless of faith.

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