UNIBANK SURPASSES $200K IN WCAC
EMERGENCY FUEL FUND ASSISTANCE
Resources to serve vulnerable households throughout the region
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2021
CONTACT: Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Development
EGanley@wcac.net 508-762-9807
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WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS - UniBank has announced a donation of $20,000 to Worcester Community Action Council, Inc to assist local residents with home heating costs. The donation will support the agency's Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund which provides critical support to local households whose needs often extend beyond what they receive in federal assistance.
In announcing the donation, UniBank CEO Michael Welch said, “Since 2010, UniBank has been proud to support the WCAC Emergency Fuel Fund program with over $200,000 in financial support and we’re pleased to contribute again in 2020. This program provides a critical need for the residents of Central and Southern Worcester County which aligns well with our mission of giving back to the community.”
WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell said, “We are experiencing a far greater need for WCAC services as our collective community looks to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID19 crisis. We are, once again, grateful for UniBank’s generous support and for these resources that will go directly to households that need it most."
"We know many households are struggling financially due lost or reduced wages as the result of COVID. We also know many households are experiencing increased utility usage because they are working from home or have children doing remote learning," agreed WCAC's Director of Energy Resources Mary Knittle. "WCAC is here to help. And this generous donation from UniBank will help us serve the most vulnerable households."
Claire L., an 81-year-old living on a fixed income in Oxford is one such household. A WCAC fuel assistance recipient since 2011, she said she and her husband wouldn't survive without the help. "We can't live on Social Security," she said. "This assistance is the best thing that ever happened to us... no matter how desperate we were they always found a way to make sure we were taken care of. We are so very grateful for that."
The Low Income Home Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open November 1st to April 30th each year, providing financial assistance by paying fuel vendors directly for income-eligible households including individuals, families, single or multi-family homes, owners or renters. Eligibility is determined by household income. Additional details about eligibility and how to apply is available online at www.wcac.net/fuel-assistance/
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About WCAC
Since 1965, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.
About UniBank:
UniBank is rooted in the Blackstone Valley with assets of $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2020. A full-service, mutually owned community bank, UniBank has branches in Central Massachusetts and the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. UniBank is dedicated to contributing to the overall quality of life and economic health of the communities it serves, while maintaining a high level of financial soundness and integrity. UniBank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC and Member DIF. UniBank NMLS #583135. The company website is www.unibank.com
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www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net |
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