Need help with your ASPA bill? "Give Light Initiative" is here for you

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It has been a week and a half since the launch of the GiveLight Initiative, and over 200 families have been awarded $50 ASPA power credit. The response by recipients has primarily been of extreme gratitude for the assistance. This initiative aims to raise $25,000 to provide $50 ASPA credit to 500 low-income families in American Samoa who are experiencing reduced income due to COVID-19.  This is a collaboration between 4 local non-profits: Esther Generation, Foeoletini Foundation, Rotaract Club of Pago Pago and Agency for Better Living Endeavors.

The Initiative has raised a total of $16,590 so far.

“We have received about $12,000 in donations from local businesses and $4,440 from the GoFundMe Page. We have served close to 250 families, which is half of our overall goal. Applications are still being reviewed and all applicants will receive their decision within 24 hours of applying. From there, it will take ASPA another 24-48 hours to process the credit or token. The Rotaract Club of Pago Pago facilitates the receipt of donations and forwards all proceeds to ASPA to allocate to eligible applicants,” explained Tiara Drabble, representing Rotaract on the GiveLight organizing team.

“Our team recognizes the urgency of this need by many of our families that did not receive any monies due to shut downs or may not be able to work due to testing positive for covid. Increasing gas and utility costs have also been an added stressor. It has been our priority to get the assistance out to the affected families immediately so they receive this much needed relief,” Christinna Lutu-Sanchez, representing ABLE said and added, “it has been an amazing team effort between the volunteers from the 4 organizations to make sure that the process is as simple for the applicants and as efficient to review and distribute the benefits to those eligible.”

Mrs. Trude Sunia, representing Foeoletini Foundation said, “We encourage all private sector employers, especially small businesses, to help their employees that were affected to apply for this benefit; every bit helps as our community tries to navigate through these difficult times. This initiative will not only help the recipient but also the employer as it relieves some burden on the employer that is struggling to make ends meet and also try to help their own employees”. She concluded, “the priority deadline that we have is March 31st; and if any funds remain, we may be able to assist the same eligible applicants with assistance for their water bills also.”

For more information on the GiveLight Initiative, you can call 256-0000 or 252-2222