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Citizens Bank Foundation announces $100,000 gift to heat 19 local shelters this winter to kick off public “Shelter Heating Assistance Campaign”
Citizens partners with NBC 10 and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless to help pay homeless shelters’ heating bills Providence, RI (November 28, 2006) - With skyrocketing heating bills expected again this winter, Citizens Bank has announced this winter’s “Shelter Heating Assistance Campaign,” a fuel assistance initiative to help defray heating costs for 19 Rhode Island homeless shelters. Citizens launched the initiative two years ago so local shelters would not have to cut critical programs and services in order to pay utility bills. Heating costs are expected to increase by at least one-third this year.
The Citizens Bank Foundation will provide a $100,000 lead gift to the campaign to assist Rhode Island homeless shelters in paying their winter heating bills. In addition, Citizens branches across the state will accept additional contributions from customers and the general public. Donations will be accepted at Citizens Bank branches across the state between now and the end of December.
Citizens is partnering with NBC 10 to spread awareness of the program. The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless will distribute the funds to area homeless shelters. Rhode Island shelters that will benefit from the donations are: Interim House, Women’s Center of Rhode Island, Amos House, Crossroads Family Shelter, Sojourner House, Advent House, New Hope Emergency Shelter, Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Woonsocket Shelter, Rhode Island Family Shelter, Elizabeth Buffum Chase House, Lucy’s Hearth, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Welcome House of South County, Galilee Mission to Fisherman, W.A.R.M. Westerly Area Rest & Meals, Warwick House of Hope, Women’s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties, Urban League Prairie Avenue Shelter, McKinney Shelter, and the Providence Rescue Mission.
“Heating costs continue to rise. Since we began this initiative two years ago, with the help of our customers and the community, we have donated more than $275,000 to help Rhode Island homeless shelters pay their winter heating bills,” said Joseph J. MarcAurele, Chairman, President and CEO of Citizens Bank. “It is expected to cost even more this year. We ask the community to join us again in our efforts to help ensure warm shelter and critical support services for those who need our assistance most.”
“Working together to raise awareness of this critical need in our community is especially crucial this year as heating costs continue to increase,” said Lisa Churchville, NBC 10 President and General Manager. “NBC 10 is committed to supporting the Shelter Heating Assistance Campaign through this partnership with Citizens Bank and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.”
“The Citizens Bank Foundation's recognition of the crisis of homelessness in our state and its generous donation toward energy for our shelters will literally mean more food on the table and more services for those without homes of their own,” said Jim Ryczek, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. “When our operating expenses rise, remaining funds available to provide counseling, meals, and concrete services are stretched to the limit. Thanks to Citizens, those staying at area shelters will continue to have a meal, stay warm and be able to benefit from additional services to help them find permanent housing.”
Rhode Island area shelters expect to see a significant increase in heating costs this year over last. The latest numbers on homelessness in Rhode Island are staggering. In 2005, more than 6,400 Rhode Islanders sought emergency shelter, a record number for the fifth year in a row. In that time, the number of families needing shelter has risen 38 percent to an all-time high of more than 800, and the number of children living in shelters has risen 36 percent to more than 1,700.
About Citizens Bank of Rhode Island
Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, with $14 billion in assets, 78 branches and 147 ATMs, has the largest branch banking network in Rhode Island. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $164 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,200 ATMs and more than 26,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits and ninth in assets as of March 31, 2006. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
About the Citizens Bank Foundation
Citizens Bank Foundation is a charitable contributions vehicle of Citizens Bank. The foundation’s support is focused on housing, community development and basic human needs.
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