Project A.P.P.L.E. is the City of Pasadena’s charitable fund for helping residents pay their electric bill when facing exceptional financial difficulties. Pasadena Water & Power electric customers may apply for a Project A.P.P.L.E. grant of up to $100 per a calendar year to help keep their lights on.

Funded solely through voluntary contributions, Project A.P.P.L.E. has helped thousands of people pay their electric bill while struggling with emergency family commitments, a recent job loss, illness or disability or other financial emergencies. One hundred percent of Project A.P.P.L.E. donations go toward grants for eligible customers.

UPDATE: Project A.P.P.L.E. funds are low. Please donate to help those in need to keep their lights on while struggling with financial difficulties. Read more..

3 WAYS TO DONATE

Anyone can donate - - You don't need to be a Pasadena resident or PWP customer to help a neighbor in need.

1>> ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL* USING A CREDIT CARD, DEBIT, BANK ACCOUNT OR PAYPAL ACCOUNT:

* If you use a credit card or email address that is already linked to a Paypal account, you must login using your Paypal username and password.

2>> BY CHECK:

By mail or in person at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. [map] (Make the check payable to "City of Pasadena" and be sure to specify "Project A.P.P.L.E." in the note.)

3>> ON YOUR PWP/MUNICIPAL SERVICES BILL:

If you’re a PWP customer, you can make a donation of any amount by checking the Project A.P.P.L.E. box on your PWP utility bill return statement and including the donation with your payment.

THANK YOU!

APPLY FOR A GRANT

Project A.P.P.L.E. is intended for customers who risk electric service shut-off due to an inability to pay their bill as a result of exceptional or emergency financial difficulties.

Applicants must apply in person at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadana and present:

• a past-due PWP electric bill or shut-off notice

• valid ID

• proof of household income and

• if necessary, other supporting documentation of exceptional circumstances

Approved applicants may receive a single grant of up to $100 in a calendar year to pay their electric bill.

CONTACT US

For questions about how to apply for  or donate to the program, please call 626-744-7300 or email jemerson@cityofpasadena.net

NEWS

Dec. 1, 2010 -- Project A.P.P.L.E. Grant Applications Quadruple in 5 years

It’s a double bind commonly faced by charitable organizations during an economic downturn: Just when more people are on the brink and reaching out for help, fewer are coming forward to lend a helping hand.

Grants from the City of Pasadena's utility assistance program Project A.P.P.L.E.  have quadrupled in 2010 compared to 2005, with 1384 grants given this year versus 350  just five years ago.  

"It's a sign of the times," says Public Benefits Manager John Hoffner. "More people are more frequently in dire situations, and it's very disheartening to see so many struggle to pay for these basic, essential services for everyday life."

John notes that, since the economic downturn, utilities across the nation are reporting a marked increase in the number of customers who are delinquent on utility bill payments and risk shut-off.

But these tight economic times have also meant a drop in donations. “Just when our customers need Project A.P.P.L.E. the most,” said Public Benefits Manager John Hoffner, “we don’t have as much help to give.”  

With the establishment of an online donation feature at www.PWPweb.com/ProjectAPPLE  PWP hopes to ease and increase donations to the program that has helped thousands since it was founded.

“We’re all human, and we all need help now and then,” John said. “Project A.P.P.L.E. is a great way to have an immediate impact on the quality of life of a person or family facing exceptional hardship."

PLEASE DONATE TO PROJECT A.P.P.L.E.!
HELP THOSE IN NEED KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON.

* If you use a credit card or email address that is already linked to a Paypal account, you must login using your Paypal username and password.