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January 30, 2020 / bpub / Comments Off on BPUB Gives Back to Community

BPUB Gives Back to Community

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The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) offers a variety of programs and tools for its customers year-round. From monetary assistance, scholarships, sponsorships and education efforts, BPUB is always looking for ways to help its customers and Brownsville residents.

One of the ways that employees help give back to the community is through the Adopt an Angel program. BPUB works with two local nonprofits (Friendship of Women and Tip of Texas Family Outreach) to provide holiday gifts to children in families experiencing hardships. These organizations provide BPUB with 150 “angels” along with their age, gender and gift request, and then BPUB employees open their hearts to “adopt” these angels and fulfill their holiday gift wish.

This program is one that always garners a lot of enthusiasm among BPUB employees. The opportunity to provide a gift to someone who may otherwise not have one brings out the inner-Santa Claus in many. Other departments will even lend a hand to help in the delivery. It’s a program that has become a holiday staple at BPUB and one that many look forward to.

Here are some other programs to look out for in 2020:

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Every year, some BPUB employees are certified by the Internal Revenue Service to assist low and moderate-income residents with their taxes. Residents must make $50,000 or less annually to qualify. VITA assistance will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 4. Residents are encouraged to arrive before 5 p.m. at BPUB’s Administration Building to register.

  • Project SHARE Fund | Project SHARE Scholarship

Since 1985, BPUB’s Project SHARE Fund has been helping low-income residents help pay their utility bills. Monies are raised by BPUB through an annual Project SHARE Golf Tournament and those funds are also used to provide 10 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to local high school graduates. The 2020 Project SHARE Scholarship application is now available at www.bpubscholarship.com. The deadline to apply is at 5 p.m. February 14.

  • Elderly Low-Income Assistance Program

The Elderly Low-Income Assistance Program provides second billing assistance to elderly residents with low-income statuses’. Residents over the age of 62 might qualify for this monetary assistance. For more information, call (956) 983-6121 or stop by BPUB’s Administration Building.

  • GreenLiving Rebate Program

The GreenLiving Program offers a rebate to customers who take steps to conserve energy and water. To qualify for a rebate, customers may submit an application at www.brownsville-pub.com.

  • Trade a Tree Program

Through this program, BPUB replaces your trees when they are removed to make room for power lines. The trees are selected for their natural beauty and their lower heigh so that they do not interfere with electrical equipment in the future. If your tree was removed by BPUB and would like to learn how you can get your tree replaced, visit www.brownsville-pub.com and search for the Trade a Tree Program.