Operation Fuel wants to remind Connecticut residents that when they are paying their monthly utility bills they may also contribute to the non-profit through its Add-a-Dollar program.
Utility customers may add a dollar when they pay their utility bill by check or online. Utility customers who wish to donate more than one dollar or who want to contribute automatically each month to Operation Fuel should contact their utility company. The Add-a-Dollar program is part of Operation Fuel and all of the money collected is used to provide energy assistance for Connecticut households.
This past fiscal year, Operation Fuel raised $562,211 through the Add-a-Dollar program; $439,536 from utility customers’ donations and $122,675 in utility provided shareholder-matching funds. Since Add-a-Dollar began 31 years ago, the program has provided nearly $16.4 million in energy assistance to families and individuals statewide.
Connecticut gas and electric utilities are mandated by state statute to participate in Operation Fuel’s Add-a-Dollar program. Some of the utility companies also have a shareholder-matching program that adds additional funds to the money raised through the Add-a-Dollar program.
The maximum Operation Fuel grant that a household can receive annually is $500. Many of the recipients are working families with young children or elderly people who are living on a fixed income. So far this fiscal year, Operation Fuel has provided $1.9 million in energy assistance.
In addition to the Add-a-Dollar program, donations for Operation Fuel may be made online at operationfuel.org or mailed to Operation Fuel, 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT 06106.
Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance through its statewide network of fuel banks to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis and not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. Operation Fuel works in partnership with businesses, charitable foundations, communities, government and individuals to ensure that Connecticut households have access year-round to critically needed energy assistance.