Vineland Municipal Electric Utility and New Jersey SHARES

Partner to Provide Energy Assistance

Vineland, NJ, February 2, 2009 ─Mayor Robert Romano, Vineland Municipal Electric Utility officialsand Jim Jacob, executive director of New Jersey SHARES, Inc. (NJ SHARES) have announced a partnership that will enable Vineland Municipal Electric Utility customers in need to receive energy assistance. This is the first partnership between a municipal electric utility and NJSHARES. “We are proud that Vineland will be the first municipal electric system to benefit from NJ SHARES. I know many of our citizens are struggling to make ends meet, and this program will provide needed relief,” said Mayor Robert Romano. Vineland Municipal Electric Utility customers who are struggling to make ends meet may qualify for up to $300 on their electric bill or upto $700 if they heat their home with electric.

“Many households in New Jersey, through no fault of their own struggle to pay their energy bills,” said Jim Jacob. “We are excited at the opportunity to provide direct and meaningful assistance to clients we were unable to reach prior to this partnership.”

NJ SHARES is an energy assistance program that assists households who do not otherwise qualify for energy bill assistance through traditional programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Universal Service Fund. NJ SHARES helps households with a temporary financial hardship that could have resulted from a loss, an illness or other misfortune. To donate or apply for the NJ SHARES program, please call our toll free number (1-866-657-4273) or visit our website at Agencies taking applications for NJ SHARES in CumberlandCounty are listed below.

Tri County Independent Living Center -Cumberland / 856-327-5177
Bethel Development Corporation / 856-327-9092
Catholic Charities - Diocese of Camden (Vineland) / 856.691.1841
The Salvation Army (Vineland) / 856-696-5050
CASA PRAC INC. / 856-692-2331
The Salvation Army-Bridgeton / 856-451-0999
Community Action Partnership-Cumberland / 856-451-6330
Lawrence Township Senior Center-Cedarville / 856-447-1000

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