Charity Will Stop Taking Gas Explosion Stipend Requests On Monday

ANDOVER, MA -- Residents in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence who were without gas service beyond October 1 have until Monday to apply for a $550 stipend from the Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief fund, which was the main charity set up to funnel donations to people in need after the Sept. 13 gas explosions. The nonprofit says it has already received 10,000 applications and is asking people to not reapply if they have already filed an application.

"The goal of the Fund is to gift $550 to every single household or business that is eligible," said Beth Francis, president and CEO of Essex County Community Foundation, which is overseeing the process. "We are urging people to spread the word about the application deadline to friends and neighbors – especially those without Internet and email access – so we can help as many people as possible."

As of Oct. 18, the fund had given out $3.7 million, in the form of 6,726 gifts of $550. The fund is also working with local nonprofits to allocate resources as the recovery effort continues. More than 7,000 people remain without gas service following the explosions, which damaged or destroyed 131 buildings in the three communities and killed an 18-year-old Lawrence man.

Applications can be filed online at www.GLDRF.org or by calling 2-1-1. Applications can also be filed at the Lawrence Senior Center (155 Haverhill St., Lawrence 978-519-0111) or the Andover/North Andover YMCA (165 Haverhill St., Andover 978-519-0113)

For more information, see the notice on the Town of North Andover's Website.

Never miss another local news story: Get free local news alerts right to your inbox.

Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).