Wal-Mart Foundation Donates $100,000 to Keep ME Warm Fund to Support Home Heating Fuel Assistance Programs across Maine

PORTLAND, Maine – The Wal-Mart Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the United Way of Greater Portland to support the Keep ME Warm Fund, which provides support to home heating fuel assistance programs for needy Mainers.

“The generosity of the Wal-Mart Foundation will go a long way toward helping us reach our goal of keeping all Mainers safe and warm in their homes this winter,” said Meg Baxter, the president of the United Way of Greater Portland. “Without fuel assistance, we expect that elderly people may have to forgo basic needs such as prescriptions, and families may have to reduce their food budgets. The Wal-Mart Foundation is helping alleviate those concerns.”

The United Way of Greater Portland, as a part of a collaborative effort with other social service agencies and Gov. Baldacci’s office, is raising funds to supplement emergency fuel programs across the state through the Keep ME Warm Fund. The primary focus of the heating assistance program is to supplement home heating needs; it will not heat a home for the entire winter. The secondary focus is to provide emergency heating assistance, primarily to homes with elderly members or children under two.

"We share the concern of many in Maine that the increased cost of fuel and these tough economic times will make it difficult for many Mainers to meet their home heating fuel needs this winter,” said Philip Serghini, Senior Manager for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “I'd like to thank the Governor for his leadership in the Keep Maine Warm Program, and also would like to commend the federal delegation for their bipartisan work on getting fuel cost help for Mainers as well."

Maine has the highest percentage – 80 percent – of households in the country dependent on heating oil. Yet the federal government's support of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has lagged far behind the increasing cost of fuel. In Maine, more than 125,000 residents meet eligibility requirements, but the LIHEAP benefit covers less than one quarter of their fuel bills.

The Keep ME Warm Fund is a collaboration between Gov. Baldacci’s office, the 10 Community Action Programs (CAP) and the United Ways in Maine, including the United Way of Greater Portland.

Over and above the CAP agencies, the United Ways across the state will distribute funding to faith-based organizations and community agencies that provide a natural connection for help for people who may never have had to ask for help before.

The grant was made possible through the Wal-Mart Foundation’s State Giving Program. Through this program, the Wal-Mart Foundation awards grants at the state and regional levels to support unmet needs in areas of focus such as: Education, Job Skills Training, Environmental Sustainability and Health. For more information, please visit: www.walmartstores.com.

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