Concord residents help fellow citizens hit by hard times

By: Karen Cimino Wilson | Independent Tribune
Published: December 31, 2010

CONCORD, N.C. --

Concord utilities customers have been rounding up their bills to help others who are struggling to keep the heat and electricity running in their homes, but city officials say more could still be done.

Concord Mayor Scott Padgett said the program is easy and makes helping others automatic for those who participate.

“It’s such an easy way for our city to help people who cannot afford to pay for their utilities,” Padgett said. “Other than shelter and food, having electricity and water is one of those basic needs. If all of our customers who are able would just add a little to their monthly utility bill, it would make huge difference to help people who can’t afford it.“

The city started the program, which is called Neighbor Helping Neighbor, last January. The program allows Concord water and electric customers to donate to a fund to help customers who have fallen behind on their bills.

Donations can be made in three ways: rounding up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar amount; a one-time donation; or by setting monthly donation amount.

“If the bill is $32.50 and they sign up for the rounding up option, the bill will be $33,” said Peter Franzese, spokesman for Concord.

Since January 2010, Concord utilities customers have donated $3,654.18 to help other customers, Franzese said.

The money is given by the city to Cooperative Christian Ministry, which uses it to help people who qualify for assistance with their utility bills. Donations are tax deductible, according to CCM.

The number of people living in poverty in Cabarrus County has increased 14 percent over the past 10 years, according to CCM. The group with the highest rate of increase, from 10 percent in 1995 to 12.3 percent in 2005, is children age 5 to 17.

CCM provides financial assistance to families who qualify and are experiencing an unexpected crisis situation. The organization also works with families to help them learn to avoid crisis situations in the future.

For more information about the Neighbor Helping Neighbor program, visit www.ci.concord.nc.us/Departments/Finance/UtilitiesBilling/NeighborHelpingNeighbor/tabid/592/Default.aspx or call the city’s Customer CARE Center line at 704-920-5555.

Visit the Cooperative Christian Ministry site at www.cooperativeministry.com.

Contact reporter Karen Cimino Wilson: 704-789-9141.