Please Consider Donating to the Community Energy Fund to Help Those in Need This Holiday Season

For a lot of us, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year.

For others, it can bring stress and fear over additional expenses. Energy bills can be at their highest in the colder months as more electricity is needed to keep homes warm. For some of our most vulnerable customers, this can be the toughest time of the year to make ends meet.

Everyone needs a little help at times, and the Snohomish County PUD wants to make sure that we’re here to support our customers when they need it. Since 1982 we’ve had the Community Energy Fund (formerly known as Project PRIDE) to help provide one-time grants to those in our communities who need financial assistance.

The program was heavily utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic and has given out more than $3 million since it began. It is administered by our trusted partners at St. Vincent de Paul.

The program is supported by the community, for the community. You can help make a difference today for your neighbors and those who may be struggling to pay their utility bills. Sign up today for a one-time or recurring gift and 100% of your donation, which is tax deductible, will be used to provide assistance to families and individuals.

It’s easy to help! Here are the options:

• Online: Fill out the donation form at snopud.com/cef
• By mail: Send a check payable to Community Energy Fund to: St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 2269, Everett, WA 98213
• With your PUD bill: Use the Community Energy Fund donation slip included with your bill

Together, we can help those in need keep the lights on and stay warm this holiday season.

We regularly receive emails and letters of gratitude from our customers. Here are just a few:

“I can’t even begin to say how very thankful I am to have received the CEF grant,” said Laura P. from Arlington. “I was completely out of options, and my power could have been shut off at any point. I had no way possible to pay the bill. Being disabled, living alone and having social security as my only income is very hard.

“My vehicle broke down. My well pump stopped working and so did my hot water heater. Anything that could go wrong did, all within a two-week period. I was completely overwhelmed and was about to just give up. Then I got a call regarding the CEF grant and suddenly, I felt like I could breathe again. I still have a long line of things I need to fix. But now instead of defeat, I feel hope.”

“This grant saved me from losing my power,” said Jessica C. from Everett. “I am recently disabled and waited almost a year to receive any payment. Without this program and the donations from my community I would have had to choose between eating or having electricity. From my heart I thank you so so much! I’m almost caught up now instead of still sinking, I’m swimming to the top!”

“This is a blessing for us,” said Mayra S., who also lives in Everett and recently received a grant. “I have five kids and the past months have been a little rough for us economically. Thank you so much for helping us.”