ERAS SENIOR NETWORK INC

Eras Senior Network is taking part in a fundraising challenge through A Community Thrives to support utility bill assistance for low-income older adults in Milwaukee County and Waukesha County. In order to be eligible to be chosen to receive a $100,000 grant, we need to raise $6,000.  If we raise $3,000, we'll be eligible to be chosen to receive a $50,000 grant.

About Our Project
Our grant project is focusing on helping low-income older adults in Milwaukee County and Waukesha County stay safe during extreme temperatures through utility bill assistance.  

Project Need
Currently, Americans are facing an over 9% inflation rate, not including food and energy costs. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Wisconsin residential customers paid 15.20 cents/kilowatthour in March of 2022 compared to 14.35 cents/kilowatthour in March of 2021 – an increase of 0.85 cents/kilowatthour.  For older adults already living on a fixed income, the rise in utility costs presents a new concern of how to ensure their basic needs are met each month.  Older adults unable to afford the rise in utility costs may opt to reduce their energy usage by refusing to turn on their air conditioner or fan during extreme heat in the summer.  With the rise in temperatures due to global warming, however, older adults who neglect their need to stay cool in order to save on an energy bill are putting themselves at risk of illness and even death.  According to a report by the CDC, 36% of heat-related deaths in the U.S. were among people over the age of 65.  In 2021, 68% of our Milwaukee County clients and 58% of our Waukesha County clients reported living on an annual income of less than $24,999.

Details of the Challenge
Our fundraising challenge begins on July 18th, 2022. To become eligible for for one of 16 grants through A Community Thrives, our organization needs to raise $6,000 by 8pm CST August 12th, 2022. If we reach at least $6,000, our project will then be considered for one of the nation-wide grants. 

• Please keep in mind: Any donations made outside of the A Community Thrives link will support our project, but will not count towards the goal of raising $6,000 to be considered for one of the nation-wide grants.  

Thank you for your consideration!

Click HERE for official challenge rules.