Car Ownership Programs

Assistance with Car Ownership

Car ownership programs assist people in the purchase of a car when they are unable to do so. There are a variety of organizations that obtain reliable used cars from donations and other means. They will then either sell for a low price or give the car away for free, to program recipients. Contact Us for a complete list in your area.

There are also opportunities to get help with the additional costs associated with car ownership.

• Match Funds Programs will match the amount you have saved for a new car (i.e. You save $500, the group will match some or all of that $500.)
• Successful Car Ownership provides assistance for car repairs and insurance costs
• Low Rate Auto Loans

Please complete the contact us form so we can help you.

Repair Assistance

Numerous churches, ministries, and other non-profit organizations may be able to provide minor car repairs free of charge to the needy and those with low incomes. Most of the repairs are targeted to people who need a car for transportation to work or a medical appointment. Examples of such organizations are:

• The Compassionate Ministries of the Church of the Nazarene
• Working Cars for Working Families
• The Car Ministry Program
• Domestic Violence Transportation Program
• A Helping Hand Ministry
• Auto Repair Good Guys Foundation
• The CARpenter’s Garage
• Your local community action agency

To receive a detailed list of organizations providing car repairs or assistance in your state, please fill out the form on the Contact Us page.

Free Gasoline Programs

The grants for free gasoline are awarded monthly by Free Gas USA. Fuel cards will be distributed based upon the donations received, the location(s) of participating gasoline distributors, and also the geographical restrictions of funds processed.

• Grants for free gasoline are provided in amounts that range from $50 up to $1200 dollars.
• There grants are restricted to fuel purchases only, and grants are provided on an as needed basis.
• Recipients of the grants are assigned coded fuel cards thus limiting their purchases to a certain dollar amount, and it also ensures the money is spent on fuel purchases.
• The gasoline purchases from the program are permitted to provide people with the means to fulfill basic necessities such as employment, medical, grocery shopping and educational transportation.

How to apply for free gasoline grants:

The gasoline grant applications are not distributed via United States mail. If you are interested in the program, applicants must obtain an application via theirwebsite. All applications to the program need to be submitted with an agency referral form or they will not be processed and will be denied.

To request more information please contact us.

Learn More

Housing Support

Real Estate Grants

On May 29, 2009, the face of home buying in the United States changed dramatically. It was on that date that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a statement saying that there would be an $8,000 credit from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for first time home buyers to be used toward the purchase of a home insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

Assistance includes but is not limited to:

• Short-term loan for the $8,000 and, upon receiving the tax credit; you could pay back the loan.
• Home improvement grants for senior citizens
• Direct assistance for home improvements from  Spread The Purple

Please fill out the contact form so we can help you.

Rental Assistance

One of the more critical problems facing households today is their ability to pay their rent on time. As the unemployment rate in the United States hovers around 10%, many households are having great difficulty paying their rent. While public assistance and unemployment benefits help, there is still a tremendous need for assistance for thousands of families.

Spread The Purple will help you apply and navigate the paperwork for these types of programs

• There are both federal and statewide programs designed to assist those families on a temporary basis in meeting their rental payments
• Joint program through various non-profits that gives direct aid for rental subsidies
• Direct assistance from Spread The Purple

Contact us here to find out how you can qualify.

Home Repair Assistance

Unable to keep up with necessary repairs on your New Jersey home? We can help you locate and apply for grants that can assist you in making repairs to your home. When the health and safety of a home’s occupants is in jeopardy there are ways to get help.

Learn More

Get Energy Assistance through LIHEAP

As the winter days get colder, it’s tempting to bump thermostats higher. Of course, walking into a toasty, warm home is nice, but the associated costs are not so nice. Too often, homeowners find themselves in a tough financial situation as a result of high energy bills during the coldest part of the year.

Fortunately, homeowners in New Jersey – particularly those in lower income brackets – can find financial aid through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. As noted by NJ211.org, LIHEAP is a home energy assistance program that is federally funded and “designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.” The assistance provided through this program is offered to applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Applicants can qualify for LIHEAP benefits if they are responsible for heating and cooling their home (by paying a utility company or landlord) and have a gross income that is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Those living in public housing are only eligible for LIHEAP assistance if they pay for their heating and cooling costs directly to the fuel supplier. The amount of assistance is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and heating region.

The application period for LIHEAP assistance runs through April 30. The application process is handled by the local application agency in your area. New applicants must provide copies of certain documentation when submitting their application, including proof of income for every member of the household age 18 or older; a verified copy of the applicant’s social security card, letter from the Social Security Administration, or social service agency; a copy of the most recent utility bill; and proof of residency.

If you are in need of energy assistance and feel you may be eligible for LIHEAP assistance, visit NJ211.org for a complete list of application requirements. Also, don’t forget that Spread the Purple is here to help, too. Visit our website or contact us so we can help you apply for the energy assistance you need.

                                                                                                                       Image from morguefile

Looking For Something to Do During +Labor Day Weekend? Want to +Run/Walk for Cause?

Spread the Purple is hosting a fundraiser to raise donations for home heating oil scholarships to be used with the New Jersey Citizen Action Oil Group and its Affiliates. The event will be hosted at Johnson Park, 1030 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

Register at SignMeUp.com; Event Name: 5K Run For Warmth. The course certification number is NJ11551JHP and the Timing Company being used for this event is called Fast Finishes.

In addition, being our organization fully understands how, like any sport, running has its bumps and bruises. So, as a way to offer special thanks to all of our supporters by providing a $15 OFF of a 55 minute calming THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE (i.e. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE) at 3 locations of Mosaic Salon & Day Spa of your chosen

.

Racer's Incentives:

Runners will receive a FREE “Racer’s Bib”

A FREE Racer T-Shirt, when Registers BEFORE July 29TH. NOTE: Any runner who does not register through this Racer Website before July 29TH, will no longer be able to receive a FREE Racer T-Shirt.

Hey Racers looking for more Incentives, then visit ROAD RUNNER SPORTS and receive 10% OFF ANY APPAREL, SHOES, SOCKS, and ELECTRONICS; and receive an additional 10% OFF with VIP Membership!

Wait there is more.....

Have a Change to Get Warmed Up by an Antigenic Zumba Instructor

FREE Refreshments

Listen to Energetic Music During the Run

Eat FREE Food Prepared by The Gentlemen Gourmet Catering Group

as a thank you for running or walking at our Race!In addition, if anyone who lives in the +Shrewsbury, New Jersey area, then stop by to receive 10% OFF on ALL Apparels at MC LOONE'S RUNNING STORE or stop by OUR other supporters at either the +PRINCETON RUNNING COMPANY*****+WESTFIELD +RUNNING COMPANY****+SUMMIT RUNNING COMPANY*******+MORRISTOWN RUNNING COMPANY and even their +RIDGEWOOD RUNNING COMPANY location for a wonderful treat of 10% OFF on Any/All of their Merchandises!

So visit our Racer Registration Website TODAY and see what else we are offering at this amazing event!!!

How to Schedule Savings Throughout the Year

It’s no secret that December and January can easily become the most expensive months of the year. Between various holiday get-togethers and celebrations, there’s a seemingly endless list of food and gifts to buy.

Add on travel expenses for those of us who have long-distance family or friends we want to visit, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the dollar signs. We have previously written about spending strategies to help you curb some of these holiday related costs, and today we’re excited to bring you more information on how to save in the coming days and throughout the year.

You've no doubt noticed that stores have begun bombarding potential customers with advertisements for super savings and great deals. But, like we’ve talked about before, not every “deal” is created equal. Fortunately, several products are consistently cheaper during certain months of the year, and that means- with a little bit of planning- you can save bundles. You can read a comprehensive list of how to get the biggest bang for your buck during each of the month of the year here. In the meantime, we've compiled some of the biggest savings you should watch out for in the coming months.

December

Thanksgiving is over, so forget turkey. Holiday ham is where the savings are this month.  Throw in some warm, buttery dinner rolls and mixed nut and dried fruit hors d’ouevres for a frugal and fabulous dinner party. It’s the holidays, so you can’t skip dessert. If you’re not much of a baker stick with frozen pies and refrigerated cookie dough for the best savings. For all you chefs, baking supplies (e.g., flour, sugar, baker’s chocolate, yeast, sweetened and condensed milk, cooking oil) are also a great value, so feel free to create your own masterpiece without going over budget. According to About.com, December is also a great time to buy winter coats, aluminum foil, gift cards, and carpeting and flooring. One last December super saver that we can’t resist sharing with you: motorcycles. Why? Well, your guess is as good as ours.

January

December doesn't get all the glory. Chocolate lovers should put a star on January’s calendar page. Be on the lookout for clearance prices on Christmas and Hanukkah sweets. If you overdo it, don’t worry: diet foods and exercise equipment are also a good deal this month.  Other places to look for great value are toys, linens, winter clothes, electronics, air conditioners, sneakers, and holiday decorations.

Subscribe to Spread the Purple' s Facebook Fan Page by clicking "LIKE" to receive helpful money saving tips all year long. If you have suggestions, feel free to share them below in the comments or post them to our Facebook page.

Image via morguefile

Help the Vicitms of Sandy on Their Road to Recovery

More than seven weeks have passed since +Hurricane Sandy hit shore and, with its arrival, wreaked havoc on the northeast. Within days of the +devastation, numerous charities, organizations, and caring individuals began to mobilize +fundraising efforts to help the victims. Over $92 million has been raised and people have been able to begin the process of rebuilding their lives. However, there is much work still to be done. There have been estimates that total recovery from Sandy could cost as much as $50 billion dollars, making it the second most expensive storm recovery initiative in US history.

In an effort to help meet the needs of thousands of families and businesses, Spread the Purple has launched a +fundraising initiative, The Road to +Recovery. Our goal is to raise $700,000 over the course of the next year to help families reclaim their normal lives. Because the road to recovery is a long one, we hope to keep the plight of Sandy’s victims in the public eye throughout the coming months. One way we hope to accomplish this is through you.  Once you make a donation to the Road to Recovery fund, you’ll have the opportunity to help us fundraise by creating your own +Facebook page highlighting this cause.

Not ready or able to donate money at this point? No problem – We still can use your help! Click on the “Support Us” link on our page to show your support to your Facebook network. If you really want to make an impact, you’ll have the chance to invite five friends to join the cause with you.  If you’re a more private person, don’t worry. You can skip the invitation step.

Whether you have $20, $200, or just a passionate sense of caring for your neighbors, we need you to help us spread the word! Donate and support our Road to Recovery fund. And, if you know anyone who has been affected by +Sandy, you can also send them directly to the Spread the Purple website.

Free Gas USA Can Help You Put Gasoline in Your Car

Over the past several years, we’ve watched the cost of living inch higher and higher. Even our most basic needs seem to cost a +fortune. For those who were already dealing with +financial +hardships, these increasing costs can be a source of +stress and frustration.

Many people have taken what they can into their own hands and are working hard to discover new ways to save money anywhere possible.
+Couponing, for example, has become a popular way to save at the +grocery store. However, one area where people can’t seem to find relief is filling up cars with gasoline.

Fortunately, there are organizations that provide assistance for those experiencing hard times financially. One example is +Free Gas USA Inc. As a +nonprofit +gasoline grant provider, Free Gas USA Inc. assists citizens of the United States who are in need of gasoline to fuel their vehicles in order to drive to work, doctor’s appointments, school, and other important places.

+Free Gas +USA Inc. awards grants on a monthly basis to pre-qualified candidates through coded fuel cards. The grants range in size from $50 to $1,200 and eligibility is based on income, need, circumstance, and grant funding availability. +Grant applications are accepted between +January 1 and +December 31 of each calendar year.

If you are in need of assistance in purchasing gasoline and would like to apply for a grant from Free Gas USA Inc., it is important to note that you cannot receive gasoline grants via U.S. mail. You must apply for the grant on the Free Gas USA Inc. official website. Applicants must also include a referral letter from a human service agency or church to verify income, vehicle ownership, and proof of insurance. Applications submitted without this information won’t be processed and will, therefore, be denied.

You can visit the Free Gas USA Inc. website for a complete list of rules and information regarding gasoline grants. You can also contact Spread the Purplefor more guidance on this grant and other financial assistance grants.

Image courtesy of Graur Razvan Ionut /FreeDigitalPhotos.net