The Sussex Sharing Club wants NB Power to implement a charitable electricity rate.
President Alfie Smith says NB Power is the only utility that doesn’t offer a charitable rate.
Smith says Saint John Energy, Nova Scotia Power and Aliant all have charitable power rates.
He says 35 of the 64 food banks in the area are direct customers of NB Power and would benefit immensely with a charitable rate that would free up more money for food.
Smith says 38 new families have been visiting the Sussex Sharing Club since the closure of PotashCorp.
He made his presentation during NB Power’s public hearing regarding their desired rate increase of 2 percent.
Smith says if the 2 percent rate increase is approved, it would cost food banks in the area another 100 dollars a month they can’t afford.
Right now, a food bank has to be located in a church to receive a charitable rate and only if that church was established prior to 1979, which Smith calls “outdated”.
Smith says he’s encouraged and hopeful that over the next three months that more help is given to charities.
