Nicor Gas makes additional $1 million available through The Salvation Army’s Shield of Caring for energy assistance, basic needs program

Company expands program to help families pay their natural gas utility bill in response to global rising gas costs, inflation

Naperville, IL. – Monday, March 28, 2022 – Nicor Gas is making an additional $1 million available to The Salvation Army’s Shield of Caring program to help assist customers in need who may be struggling in the wake of rising energy prices and inflation that have been further strained by global conflicts.

In October 2021, Nicor Gas contributed $5 million to The Salvation Army to help those still being impacted by the global health and financial crises. In the span of five months, the charitable organization has distributed $1 million of those funds, supporting approximately 4,700 individuals and families in need.

“We know this is an extremely challenging time for our customers,” said Meena Beyers, vice president of Business & Community Development at Nicor Gas. “From natural gas to groceries and gasoline our customers are struggling with higher prices. Most of our employees are also customers which means that their natural gas costs have also more than doubled in the last year. As a regulated utility, our prices are determined by the market, which is why it is so important to us to continue this partnership with The Salvation Army so we can provide some relief to those in need right now.”

As a distributor, Nicor Gas does not profit from the purchase price of gas, but the cost is passed along to the customer without a mark up. This cost of gas currently makes up about 75 percent of a residential customers’ bill. Other factors such as market influence, weather, and usage also impact the changing costs.

Nicor Gas residential customers can apply online for a Shield of Caring grant at www.shieldofcaring.com or by calling their local Salvation Army corps community center.

The Shield of Caring Program builds onto Nicor Gas’ existing Sharing Program to offer bill payment assistance to eligible residential customers in need. The Sharing Program will continue to operate as it has since 1983, with one-time annual grants up to $400 for income-eligible residential customers. To maximize the benefits, customers are first encouraged to apply for assistance from LIHEAP and the Sharing Program prior to applying for a Shield of Caring grant.

Nicor Gas also has a variety of programs to help customers pay their natural gas utility bills. If eligible, individuals can take advantage of more than one energy assistance program offered. To learn more about how to benefit from the energy assistance options available, visit www.nicorgas.com/energyassistance.