NFFN Begins Fund Drive to Help Hurricane Victims

The National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), the umbrella organization for more than 300 charitably funded energy assistance programs across the US, announced September 7 that it is accepting donations designated specifically to assisting with the home energy bills of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is vast, and the continuing untold human suffering, incomprehensible. The NFFN is trying to do what it can to help the victims of this disaster. The survivors of Katrina will have many things to cope with in the coming months, and we hope the funds raised through our efforts will provide some aid and comfort, “ said Carol Clements, chairperson of the NFFN Board of Directors. Entergy, the area’s largest utility, will provide a dollar for dollar match for contributions specified for Entergy customers.

“We are heartened that the area’s utilities have restored electrical service to over a million customers affected by Hurricane Katrina. And NFFN commends Entergy for providing matching funds in this national effort,” said Clements.

Ms. Clements noted that the funds that NFFN raises are not intended for immediate relief, but longer term assistance for those with unaffordable bills for home energy in the months to come. “The purpose of our fundraising drive is to provide a second tier of assistance, beyond the nation’s already generous assistance for immediate food and shelter needs,” she said.

Donors may contribute through the JustGive.org portal on the NFFN’s website.

Donations may also be made at the Network For Good Hurricane Katrina assistance website. NFFN will also accept checks made payable to “NFFN/Katrina assistance” and mailed to NFFN, 1010 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 718, Washington, DC 20005.

Contributions collected through December 31, 2005 will be forwarded to nonprofit fuel funds in the affected states. The fuel funds are: Project Share of the American Red Cross in Birmingham, Alabama; Louisiana Housing Trust Fund, administered by the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (other Louisiana agencies may participate when operations resume); Energy Concern of The Salvation Army, Alabama/Louisiana/Mississippi Division in Jackson, Mississippi.

Electronic donors and check writers may designate their donations for a particular state or for customers of a particular utility.

For more information, contact NFFN Executive Director, George Coling, 202-824-0660, coling@nationalfuelfunds.org.

Page Last Updated: September 24, 2009