First Presbyterian Church Raises Over $11,000 for Neighbor To Neighbor
March 25, 2008

The Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville continue to support GUC’s Neighbor to Neighbor program. They raised over $11,000 through their annual taste testing luncheon recently. This is the sixth year they’ve raised funds specifically for the Neighbor to Neighbor program and they have contributed more than $36,000 during that time. 

Neighbor to Neighbor was established in 2001 to assist our residential customers who need temporary financial aid to help pay their heating bills. The program is supported by voluntary donations from our customers and up to $20,000 annually in matching funds from GUC.

Neighbor to Neighbor is a partnership between GUC and the Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS screens applicants, determines eligibility and distributes the funds (up to $200/year per household) during the heating season, December – March. Funds are used to pay for all types of heating fuels (kerosene, oil, natural gas, electric heat, etc). One hundred percent of contributions are used to assist families; there are no overhead costs.

“GUC’s Neighbor to Neighbor program is a valuable resource in our efforts to better serve the citizens of Greenville and Pitt County,” said Niagara Parker, Supervisor of Work First Employment Services and Crisis Programs, Pitt County DSS. “We are often able to use Neighbor to Neighbor funds to assist households who would not be served by the various state and federal programs we administer. Many of these households consist of disabled and elderly individuals.”

Since the program was started six years ago, over $167,000 has been provided in heating assistance for over 1,100 families. “We are a part of this community and pride ourselves on being a good neighbor,” said Ron Elks, GUC General Manager/CEO. “We feel this program provides a means to meet a real need.”

Click here for additional information about the Neighbor to Neighbor program.