Over the Past Ten Years NJ SHARES Has Provided Energy Assistance to More

Trenton, NJ. October 10, 2007. New Jersey SHARES, Inc (NJ SHARES) celebrates it tenth year of providing assistance to working poor, fixed and middle income households. The organization will mark its anniversary with a cocktail reception at the PNC Bank tower in East Brunswick, NJ on October 10, 2007.

This organization’s first decade has been one of solid accomplishment.

Over the past ten years NJ SHARES has provided energy assistance to more

than 125,300 households in crisis with grant amounts exceeding $40,350,000.

Recipients do not have to choose between heating and eating or taking

necessary medications. These grants provide a safety net for folks in a

temporary crisis and help to prevent fires and the use of unsafe heating devices.

NJ SHARES has gained national recognition as the recipient of the Victorine Q. Adams award. The National Fuel Fund’s highest award was bestowed upon NJ SHARES twice in its tenure. No other fuel fund in the nation has won this award twice. NJ SHARES has been a model to other states to create fuel funds to help their residents.

Since NJ SHARES inception, the organization has partnered with Water and Telecommunication Companies to create and improve programs to provide water and telephone services to struggling households in nine states. The organization hopes to partner with Oil and Propane companies to provide programs for their customers in the near future.

James Jacob, executive director, says “This anniversary is an important one for New Jersey SHARES. We and our community partners have constructed a solid foundation and history to build on. We have been diligently working with our legislators to create a solution to the energy assistance funding shortfall. We hope as we enter into the heating season, we will be able to continue our legacy of providing solutions to families in every community ofNew Jersey.”

For information about NJ SHARES programs, to make a donation or to find out where to apply for assistance please call our toll free number at 1-866-657-4273 or visit us on the web at