With the temperatures starting to drop an event in Grand Rapids tomorrow hopes to head off heating bill troubles among other energy issues for those in need.
Grand Rapids’ Week of Warmth begins with Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Day, or N.E.E.D. as it’s referred to. The event comes from a partnership between DTE and THAW-which stands for The Heat and Warmth Fund. Here’s THAW CEO, Saunteel Jenkins.
“We are preparing for families across the state who will be in need and that need will grow as the weather gets colder and colder.”
And part of that preparation comes in the form energy consultations. Jenkins says nearly 100 Free home energy consultations will be conducted in neighborhoods near the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan on Grandville SW. The goal is to help residents learn to save money and become more energy efficient.
“For need day what we do is go out and blanket a neighborhood pretty much, with energy efficiency tips and tools and those upgrades for many households and they include, insulation and caulking and new refrigerators and furnaces, depending on the household and the needs within that household.”
The Week of Warmth, says Saunteel is meant to help the state’s most vulnerable, such as low-income families and seniors as the temperatures start to drop.
The goal for this year’s Week Of Warmth is to raise and distribute a million dollars of energy assistance and to improve energy affordability for at least 300-500 families across the state. Other energy assistance will be provided throughout the year.
Saunteel says NEED Day will be followed later in the evening by a free “Hallelujah for Heat Concert” at Cornerstone Chapel. More information on the Week of Warmth can be found at Thawfund.org.
