Pix11: National Grid Foundation Donates $112,500 To Brooklyn Organizations

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Published In: Pix11 News

Brooklyn families struggling with high utility bills are getting a much-needed lifeline thanks to a significant grant from the National Grid Foundation.

Brooklyn Org, a local philanthropic organization, recently presented a $112,500 check as part of a broader $2 million initiative to provide emergency heating assistance to families grappling with rising energy costs.

Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org, emphasized the organization’s role in this initiative.

“We can be the conduit to make sure that these grants and these resources are going to the non-profits that are actually giving to the community,” Rainey said.

Local residents like Lyra Petrie, a senior homeowner from Brooklyn, are already feeling the impact of this funding.

Petrie, who faces utility bills of nearly $300 per month, expressed her gratitude.

“Every little bit helps. It helps in a big way. It might help a small amount, but it will help in a big way,” Petrie said.

These rising costs can be particularly burdensome for seniors like Petrie, who rely on Social Security and pensions.

The grant distribution is being handled through local non-profits, including Brooklyn Level Up.

“It really was about neighbors helping neighbors to identify the needs and concerns in our community and, more importantly, to work together to find a solution,” said Allyson Martinez, Executive Director of Brooklyn Level Up.

Petrie, who also runs a catering business called Ginger Root Catering, believes this assistance provides more than just financial relief. It offers hope and support for her entrepreneurial dreams. As a National Grid representative noted, “When we think of the scope of dreaming, Brooklyn is an epicenter of dreams.”

The impact of this support extends beyond individual recipients.

Petrie reflected on how this assistance will have a positive ripple effect: “I’m so glad that I’ve been gifted. I do have a talent, and the kind of gift that I have, I can use until I’m 100 years old.”

This initiative is part of a larger effort by the National Grid Foundation to address the urgent need for heating assistance.

This year, the foundation has expanded its partnerships to include Brooklyn Org, recognizing the organization’s vital role in addressing pressing community needs.