ST. LOUIS, Oct. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Valerie lost
her job of 24 years in November 2018,
right before the season's coldest temperatures hit. "When things
happen, you wonder how you're going to survive," she said. "I have
a daughter, and I knew my bills needed to be paid."
Then, Valerie said a miracle happened. She discovered the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides
federal funding to assist families with maintaining or restoring
heating services.
Spire has been working with LIHEAP agencies to make more people
aware that help is available.
More than 830,000 people in Missouri alone qualify for energy assistance
based on their income. Yet in some areas, applications are only
trickling in. Individuals can apply for funding through their local
LIHEAP agency. If a person's need exceeds the assistance LIHEAP
provides, additional funding is accessible through Spire's
DollarHelp Program.
Since 1982, DollarHelp has made it possible for Spire customers
to donate $1 each month to help other
customers in need. Individuals can contribute online or by checking
the box on their Spire bills. In 2018, DollarHelp received more
than $1,100,000 in Missouri and $290,000 in Alabama and Mississippi from donations and company
matches. LIHEAP agencies distribute DollarHelp funds.
"DollarHelp funds assist hundreds of families with maintaining
their gas service," said Connie
Sanchez, Spire community outreach specialist. "This program
helps people meet basic needs to live safely and comfortably in
their homes during the cold weather months."
In addition to DollarHelp, Spire partners with agencies to offer
services and programs for income-qualified residents to maintain
their gas service year-round, including weatherization services,
the Red Tag Equipment Repair Program for furnace repair, and the
Extra Notification Program for elderly or disabled
customers.
"We proactively call customers we think may qualify," said
Julie Trachsel, Spire manager of
community services. "Most customers are very surprised by our
outreach efforts, but Spire is committed to making sure people are
getting the help they need."
Spire hosts around 80 events each year to help people sign up
for LIHEAP services. Upcoming public LIHEAP sign-up events
include:
10/24: Monsanto YMCA @ 10 a.m. –
2 p.m.
12/05: Monsanto YMCA @ 9:30 a.m. –
1:30 p.m.
12/12: Helping Hands for the Holidays St. Charles 4 –
7 p.m.
For more information about LIHEAP energy assistance in your
area, contact 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636). To learn more
about Spire, visit www.SpireEnergy.com.
About Spire
At Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) we believe energy exists to help make
people's lives better. It's a simple idea, but one that's at the
heart of our company. Every day we serve 1.7 million homes and
businesses making us the fifth largest publicly traded natural gas
company in the country. We help families and business owners fuel
their daily lives through our gas utilities serving Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Our natural gas-related businesses
include Spire Marketing, Spire STL Pipeline and Spire Storage. We
are committed to transforming our business and pursuing growth
through 1) growing organically, 2) investing in infrastructure, 3)
acquiring and integrating, and 4) innovating and advancing
technology. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.
Media Contact:
Raegan Johnson
314-575-4111
Raegan.Johnson@SpireEnergy.com
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SOURCE Spire Inc.