The Vermont community has donated $110,000 for WARMTH, and coupled with the Merchants Bank matching grant of $40,000, a total of $150,000 was raised in the month of December alone to prevent Vermonters in need from going without heat. Merchants Bank partnered with the Champlain Valley of Office Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), the agency who administers the WARMTH Program, and offered a dollar-for-dollar match toward all donations raised for WARMTH during December, up to a total of $40,000. And just in time as temperatures plummeted after the holidays and CVOEO’s office in Burlington filled with people looking for help.
“The largest percentage of families we serve is working families.The minimum wage may have increased, but the projections for a stronger economy haven’t reached these Vermonters. Federal and State funding has decreased year after year.The donations we receive through the WARMTH Program go directly to keeping families warm.These gifts bridge the gap.When all other funds are exhausted, it is our Vermont community that keeps the heat on.We are so grateful,” says Jan Demers, Executive Director.
The funds were distributed by CVOEO for use by all five community action agencies statewide for the emergency-based WARMTH program to help offset home heating bills. Eligibility is based on household income as a percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Applicants must be within 5-7 days of running out of bulk fuel or in danger of having their gas or electric service disconnected.
In the 2013-2014 heating season, WARMTH funds provided over 4,000 assists to more than 2,500 households. This year’s count is not in yet, but it is expected to be higher.
About Merchants Bank
Established in 1849, Merchants Bank is the largest Vermont-based bank, independent and locally operated. Consumer, business, municipal and investment customers enjoy personalized relationships, sophisticated online and mobile banking options, more than 30 community bank locations statewide, plus a nationwide network of over 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs. Merchants Bank (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NASDAQ “MBVT”), and Merchants Trust Company employ approximately 300 full-time employees and 40 part-time employees statewide, and has earned several “Best Place to Work in Vermont” awards. American Banker ranks Merchants Bank #10 in America among 851 peers. www.mbvt.com.
About WARMTH
WARMTH is a statewide emergency-based program that utilizes privately donated funds to help prevent low income households from going without heat during the winter season. The Warmth program, which has existed since 1986, is administered by Community Action Agencies across Vermont; Community Action staff provides advocacy and financial assistance to households in need to help them resolve their home heating emergency. The Warmth program is intended to supplement the state’s Seasonal and Crisis Fuel Assistance services.