City of St. Louis Provides $400,000

The City of St. Louis has provided $400,000 in energy assistance grants to Heat-Up St. Louis, an all-volunteer, utility-assistance charity covering about 17 Missouri and Illinois counties, including St. Louis. The funds will be used to help low-income, elderly and disabled city residents who are having trouble paying their utility bills.

The city funds were part of a record $600,000 in donations and grants that Heat-Up St. Louis received during the month of February. Donors included the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Utility Tax Relief Fund, the Use Tax Trust Fund, Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust, Hardee’s Rise and Shine for Heat, and Schnucks Scan and Give to Heat-Up projects.

The organization also announced last month a partnership with the utility AmerenUE that will help to develop and administer various energy conservation and energy efficiency programs, and grassroots advocacy initiatives. AmerenUE  presented a check for $50,000 to Heat-Up St. Louis officials to underwrite costs associated with these new efforts during 2008. 

Since its inception in 2000, Heat-Up St. Louis has helped more than 100,000 people in its service area and has received donations totaling about $3 million. One hundred percent of all public donations go to direct assistance because all operational costs are underwritten by the board of directors. Heat-Up St. Louis provides heat grants, referrals, counsel on utility assistance and public education.  It operates Cool Down St. Louis during the summer, providing air conditioners and electric bill assistance to at-risk seniors, the disabled and critically-ill children.

For more information, visit the group’s website.

Source: Missouri newspapers, Heat-Up St. Louis

Page Last Updated: March 12, 2008