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Local News

Allegan County Community Foundation awards utility grants early

In an unprecedented move, the Allegan County Community Foundation (ACCF) is announcing an early 2019 LEGACY grant award of $5,000 each to Christian Neighbors Plainwell, Project Hope and Community Action Allegan County. 

 

Recent changes in protocol for those needing emergency utility assistance in the State of Michigan has resulted in a profoundly high number of people being denied utility assistance, according to an ACCF media release.

 

Effective October 1, 2018, those in need of a refill on propane or assistance with a bill too high to manage must apply to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) before they can get assistance through other agencies.

 

If clients are assisted through DHHS, their payments are made through dollars from the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). The new protocol says if they are denied through the state, they can’t seek help from other MEAP grantees, which includes the Salvation Army, TruNorth, THAW, etc. 

 

“This has had a negative effect on some of our most vulnerable individuals in the county.  They find themselves with nowhere to turn except for local private organizations, which do not have adequate funds to assist the volume of people turned away by the state agency,” the release said.

 

The collaborating agencies, Christian Neighbors Plainwell, Project Hope and Community Action of Allegan County, applied for funding from the ACCF in order to help those who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.

 

The grant will fund utility dollars to help prevent vulnerable families from losing heat or water; these agencies may be the last point of hope for many in the county. “It is imperative that we are flexible and sensitive to the urgency of needs placed before us” said ACCF CEO Theresa Bray.

“Our typical cycle would have provided funds in May which is too late to help those in crisis.” 

 

The ACCF awarded $289,740 in grants to non-profits serving Allegan County last year.  To make a donation toward utility assistance to any of the organizations listed, please contact them directly, the release concluded.

 

 

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