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PEOPLE’S UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS $6,500 TO MAINE EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

March 10, 2016

PEOPLE’S UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS $6,500 TO MAINE EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

PORTLAND, ME – The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $6,500 to The Opportunity Alliance’s Keep ME Warm Fund, an emergency heating assistance program.

The grant brings the total amount awarded by the People’s United Community Foundation to The Opportunity Alliance to more than $11,000.

“The donation from People’s United Community Foundation will allow us to continue the important work of helping to keep those who may not be eligible for fuel assistance programs safe, warm, and dry during this cold winter,” said Michael J. Tarpinian, President and CEO of The Opportunity Alliance.

Because of changes to federal guidelines, many Keep ME Warm Fund applicants have exhausted their assistance from the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Opportunity Alliance bridged the gap for 4,300 such households in 2015 through the Keep ME Warm emergency heating assistance program, which operates in partnership with the United Way and 2-1-1 Maine.

“It is easy for us to take for granted our ability to turn up the heat,” said Dan Thornton, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President, People’s United Bank, Maine. “We couldn’t be more pleased to once again help our neighbors in Maine who need emergency heating.”

Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine through a network of more than 400 branches, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The Foundation places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the Foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.