Major Wendy Kountz of the Salvation Army in Rhode Island at the “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” kick-off breakfast. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

More than 1,500 stand to receive heating assistance this winter from the “Good Neighbor Energy Fund”, which Wednesday kicked off its 2014-2015 campaign, with a goal of raising $500,000.

“The need for energy assistance is probably up somewhere between 25 to 30 percent over previous years,” said Major Wendy Kountz of the Salvation Army in Rhode Island, which screens aid recipients and distributes vouchers families can use to offset the cost of their heating bills.

At a kick-off breakfast at the Salvation Army headquarters in Providence Wednesday, utilities donated checks to the fund. Ratepayers will be receiving envelopes in their utility bills to donate to the Fund.

“People are very appreciative,” said Major Kountz.

“A lot of times they’ll call us because they get into a situation where they’ve never needed help, and those are the people we’re kind of standing in the gap to help. And so, they’re very appreciative and the need is great,” she said.

“Twenty nine years, we’re in the 29th campaign, we’ve raised $12.3 million dollars in that time frame, and this year we have a goal of $500,000 for the 2014 – 2015 campaign,” said Kevin Hennessy of Dominion Resources, who chairs the “Good Neighbor Energy Fund” campaign this year.

“The weather is going to start getting cold again, and I know we can be sure that people are going to need more help,” said Margaret “Meg” Curran, chairwoman of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.

In addition to mailing a check in the envelop that comes in utility bills, Hennessy said donations can be accepted online at the Fund’s website, www.rigoodneighbor.com or by texting the word “warm” to 41444.