H20, a vital source

“Asking for Help is a sign of strength,” Marie MacDonald

Since 2011, the H20 Water Fund has been helping families and individuals across Halifax with an up to $250 reduction in their water bills. Marie MacDonald shares that her water would have been cut off without support from the Fund this winter.

“Working full time and going back to school to become a police officer made it tough for me to pay all of my bills,” says Marie. “As an independent 46 year-old woman, it was hard to ask for help and this was the first time I struggled financially, but the thought of having my water cut off felt pretty scary.”

In partnership with the Halifax Water Commission, The Salvation Army administers the H20 Water Fund for which applicants can apply online every 24 months from March 31 to April 1.

“When I called the Halifax Water Commission to explain my situation, I learned about the program, completed an application form and quickly got in touch with James Woods at The Salvation Army,” says Marie. “When I talked with James, he also told me I qualified to apply for $400 to heat my home; I cannot thank James and The Salvation Army enough for this help.”

With support from the H20 Water Fund and the Good Neighbour Energy Fund (GNEF), Marie didn’t have to face a cold home or go without water this winter.

When asked about his thoughts about the program, James Woods says, “This great program helps a lot of people. Those who have had their water disconnected certainly feel the effects of how water is a vital source for everything we do; the need is there and it is growing.”

Last year, the Fund helped 100 compared to 72 in 2015 and it complements the GNEF – a partnership between Nova Scotia Power, the Government of Nova Scotia and The Salvation Army, which provides home heating assistance for families and individuals across Nova Scotia. 

For more information about the Fund, visit https://salvationarmy.ca/atlantic/h2o/