Fort Pierce Utilities assistance from Project Care donation program

One of the leading ways for people to give back to the Fort Pierce community is the Project Care contribution program. It also provides financial assistance to qualified low income families for paying their utility and cooling bills. There are several components to it, as noted below.

The reason it was set up was to allow people to be able to help others. So in other words, Project CARE is in effect a form of Helping Hands and it allows neighbors to care for people in the community. The program was not up as a charity type service by Fort Pierce Utilities.

Using donations from the region, there may be emergency assistance for paying utility bills, and the funds are intended to address a onetime crisis. This means that the money is not a subsidy or charity program, but is intended to help those from Florida and the service territory with a onetime crisis. Another focus is on preventing a disconnection. So because it is for emergencies only, people should have confidence that their donations will be out to good use.

When applying for help, families or individuals need to know that it is not the intent for Project Care to pay long term debt. However the assistance paid out will only be to assist those who are otherwise self-sufficiency, but that have a short term hardship.

As noted, the program relies on donations. So therefore funds are limited, as Project CARE is paid for by individuals and families in the local community. It uses a combination of one time or recurring donations. If you do contribute, note that it will more than likely be tax-deductible in Florida.

Note that the foundation that runs it will not deduct any administrative costs, so your entire contribution reaches the very needy. Your generous, voluntary donation will go to assist local families, seniors, and those in a crisis in payment of their electric, garbage, water, sewer, natural gas, or gas bills.

The program is run in Fort Pierce by Mustard Seed Ministries. They work with the utility company to both collect and distribute funds to the low income that qualify that are facing a crisis. They provide oversight, ensure the funds are put to good use, and assist the poor and less fortunate.

 

 

 

 

The goal of the assistance is to avert a crisis, and the objective is to help without creating dependence. So one part of this means that the applicants must pay a part of the overdue utility bill themselves, so they have a financial commitment due. Also, Project CARE does not help the same household more than once in any twelve-month period or pay late fees.

To learn more, apply, or donate, dial 772-466-1600.