Overview
Oasis is a program to help those going through financial hardship with their Town of Cary utility bill through donations from other utility customers.
The program is administered through a partnership between the Town and Christian Community in Action, a local non-profit organization that helps people in need get back on their feet. Donating is quick and easy. Contributions are tax-deductible.
The Need
About 3,600 utility accounts with the Town of Cary are overdue each month. While paying late is a chronic problem for some customers, others find them themselves in difficulty for the first time and merely need a little one-time assistance.
Although most bills do get paid, significant delays and service disconnection often occur. The time spent collecting these bills and the lost interest revenue from Town accounts cost all of us.
How Oasis Works
The Town accepts one-time or regular donations from utility customers and passes all the money to Christian Community in Action. The money can only be used for a Town of Cary utility bill or for plumbing repairs to fix leaks.
CCA crisis counselors interview applicants to determine available assistance.
How to Help
>To contribute
monthly with your utility payment:
Call (919) 469-4050, e-mail oasis@townofcary.org, or send a note with
your next payment. Ask us to set up a recurring donation of as little
as 50 cents a month or $1, $2, $5, $10 - whatever dollar amount you
choose.
> To make a one-time
contribution:
Include the donation with your next utility payment or mail it separately
to:
Town of Cary Finance Department
P.O. Box 8049
Cary, NC 27512
How to Receive Help with Utility Bills
Call Christian Community in Action at (919) 469-9861.
Lowering Your Taxes
If you itemize deductions for your state and federal income taxes, you may deduct Oasis donations. Keep your utility bill statements to document donations or call us after the end of the calendar year. We’ll send a statement totaling your donations for the calendar year. On your tax returns, list the Town of Cary as the recipient of the donation.
More Information
Cindy Nicolaisen
Utility Accounts Manager
Town of Cary Finance Department
(919) 469-4054
(919) 388-1122 (fax)
cindy.nicolaisen@townofcary.org