January 3, 2020
Millbury, Massachusetts — In time for the home heating season, bankHometown has contributed an additional $25,000 to the Community Energy Assistance Program, a fund first established by Millbury Savings Bank in 2005 to help low-income residents pay their home energy costs. With the recent merger of bankHometown and Millbury Savings, this contribution demonstrates bankHometown’s continued commitment to the program and brings total contributions to $380,000.
“Now in its 16th year, the energy assistance program is critical in helping local families meet the high cost of heating their homes,” said Robert J. Morton, bankHometown’s President and CEO. “bankHometown is pleased to continue funding this important program for our neighbors in need, and to build upon Millbury Savings Bank’s long history of giving back to the community.”
The fund will provide fuel assistance to households in Millbury and Sutton that meet federal guidelines for low-income individuals. For qualifying applicants, bankHometown will pay $350 for oil, natural gas, or electric directly to the energy supplier. Last winter, approximately 60 local families received assistance.
Eligible properties include owner-occupied, single-family residences or apartments. Ineligible properties include subsidized housing, multi-family housing producing rental income (even if owner-occupied), and apartments that include heat as part of the rent.
The program will be administered by both the Millbury and Sutton Senior Centers and will end March 31. To apply, or to determine if you are eligible, contact one of the program’s coordinators: Judith O’Connor, Millbury Senior Center, 1 River Street, (508) 865-9247, or Michelle Edelstein, Sutton Senior Center, 19 Hough Road, (508) 234-0703.
In the Photo:
Robert J. Morton, President and CEO of bankHometown, with Community Energy Assistance Program coordinators Judith O’Connor, Director of the Millbury Senior Center, and Michelle Edelstein, Director of the Sutton Senior Center, with Diane Hanley, Sutton Senior Center Assistant.
About bankHometown:
bankHometown was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts. The bank has $1.0 billion in assets and 15 branches located throughout central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2018, the bank and foundation donated more than $200,000 to over 110 organizations. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.
# # #
