Project SHARE City of Columbia utility donation program

Households in Columbia Missouri that meet low income levels, and that also have an elderly or disabled member, may be able to receive assistance from Project SHARE. This is a seasonal program that operates during the winter and spring months. The focus is using donations in order to help very low income customers that are faced with a disconnection to pay their utility bills.

If you can donate to it, please do so. It is a great way to give back and to help someone that is less fortunate, and that may be faced with a crisis, to pay their energy bills. You can contribute any dollar amount that you want, either on a monthly basis or through one time contributions. Participation is very easy to make and enroll, and people can add a few dollars. It can be done as either lump sum donations or a small contribution each month.

Another way for Columbia families to donate is by rounding your monthly utility bill up to the next dollar value. So this means you can donate even less than a dollar per month if you want. So there are many ways to give back to the community. If you can, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the less fortunate in the city.

A small contribution of even just $1 or more per month will assist those in need from the city region. It is an effective way to help the less fortunate pay utility bills in one-time emergency situations. Any year-to-date contribution made will usually be tax deductible, and that amount will be stated on your February bill for tax filing purposes.

Various non-profit agencies administrate it, with the main resource being the local community action agency of OACAC. They collect money and applications in partnership with the City of Columbia Missouri. Any type of assistance is usually paid out in December up through May, depending on funding and levels of donations.

If you need help, Project SHARE was created in an effort to help low income customers in need, including the disabled, elderly, and others. It does this by helping people with keeping the heat or utilities paid. It was created in an effort to assist struggling families and households to keep their utilities on by using donations.

 

 

 

 

Any funds from SHARE are for lower income customers in Columbia who have difficulty paying their utility or heating bills. The program is targeted, in that every dollar goes to help a family in need, and all terms need to be followed. While customers can sign up in the fall or winter months for assistance, note funds are very limited, and only a small number of requests are able to be fulfilled.

As noted, people will need to call the utility company or community action to apply for SHARE, or Springfieldians Helping Area Residents with Energy. Any assistance is one time only, and it can not be constantly used. So call upon the program sparingly, and only when faced with a true crisis.