Project Share: Neighbors Helping Neighbors for 25 Years

Cynthia Ellison, Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens

The Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens determines Project Share eligibility for seniors and younger utility customers facing disconnection. _______________________________

How long could you go without your electricity? Sure, we’ve all lost power temporarily due to a major storm. Often service is restored within hours. But what if you had no lights, heat or telephone service for days or weeks? This is what happens to hundreds of low-income seniors in our community who are unable to pay their light bill.

A tight economy and rising energy costs bring special challenges to many seniors and others who live from paycheck to paycheck. With little or no savings, low-income seniors frequently find themselves in financial crises resulting from an unexpected job loss, death of a spouse, or catastrophic illness.

Fortunately, Project Share can help Seattle City Light customers who miss payments and face disconnection. Funded entirely by contributions from City Light customers who want to help people in need, Project Share has helped more than 24,000 households since 1975, many of them seniors.

"Unfortunately, the economic downturn has resulted in greater need now than ever before—and fewer contributions," said David Broom, Utility Assistance Program supervisor in the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens. "This year, more than 800 utility customers have received Project Share support, but two to three times as many still need help."

Donations to Project Share are tax-deductible and 100 percent of the funds go directly to families in need. Project Share accepts both regular and one-time donations online and at 206-684-3000.

"This holiday season, the Space Needle has elevated giving," says Broom. "If you use a Tree for All voucher (or buy online using code TFA12), the Space Needle will donate $2.50 to $5.00 to Project Share for every observation deck ticket purchased."

The Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens, a unit of Aging & Disability Services, and the Human Services Department administer utility assistance programs in cooperation with Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities. Assistance is available to qualified low-income utility customers, regardless of their age. If you need help getting current on your utility bills, call 206-684-0268 or send e-mail to UDP@seattle.gov.