- More than 70 feeding programs received financial support as
part of $500,000 monthlong
campaign
- Surprise funding will help smaller agencies with senior
mobile food programs, weekend backpack efforts, food
pantries
GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is wrapping up a monthlong initiative
to support organizations that address food deserts, insecurities
and inequities across South
Carolina by announcing more than $300,000 in surprise microgrants and
contributions to community organizations across the state.
The announcement concludes a monthlong campaign by Duke Energy
and the Duke Energy Foundation to support organizations in
South Carolina that address food
insecurities and inequities across the state. In total, the
initiative provided over $500,000 to
feeding programs through Giving Tuesday supporting
organizations including Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food
Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food
Bank and AIM, among many others.
"If you grew up in South
Carolina, you likely know that a 'surcee' is a small,
unexpected gift," said Tim Pearson,
Duke Energy's South Carolina
president. "Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to give a
little something extra and highlight the great work these
organizations do throughout the year to help keep our friends and
neighbors from going hungry."
The microgrants and contributions were not solicited by the
receiving organizations. The 'surcee' funding opportunities
recognize the important gaps these typically smaller agencies fill
in the neighborhoods they serve.
A complete list of recipients can be found here.
Duke Energy employees also provided their time volunteering with
these and other organizations throughout the month to assist in
packing and distributing food boxes, preparing backpacks for
weekend food programs for students and providing sweat equity to
senior mobile food programs and other feeding initiatives in their
neighborhoods.
Every bit of support to local food banks or soup kitchens is
helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday
season. To find a community feeding partner near you, search online
at SC211.org or text "FOOD" to 211211.
"We also know customers struggling to put food on the table are
making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their
electricity bill," Pearson said. "That's why it's important for us
to also share information that can assist families to manage their
energy bills when times are tough." To learn more about these
programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Quotes
- "Food insecurity is a growing issue in our area as the price of
groceries continues to rise," said Shelley Price, executive director of GRASP
in Chester County. "The generous
grant funding from Duke Energy not only provides much needed food
for our pantry, but also serves as a lifeline for those who are
doing all they can to make ends meet. As the holiday season
approaches, let's remember that while we are shopping and planning
family gatherings, many of our neighbors are struggling just to put
food on the table."
- "Duke Energy's partnership with this ministry is making such a
difference in the lives of our recipients – providing a hot meal
and a visit by a volunteer," said Laura Boles, president and CEO of Mobile
Meals. "The funds will ensure that we can carry out that
mission, improving the lives of so many deserving neighbors across
Spartanburg County."
- "On behalf of the 22.7% of the food insecure children in
Florence County, a big thank you
to the Duke Energy Foundation for the recent donation,"
said Diane Welch, founder
and president of Help 4 Kids. "Families in Florence County are dealing every week with
increasing food cost, and the bags their children receive each
Friday is helpful in reducing some of the stress of food
insecurity."
- "This generous grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help
us make bulk purchases of a wide variety of healthy groceries that
will provide extra food for low-income individuals, seniors and
families who don't always have the money to pay their bills and
afford food too," said Mike
Harlin, board chair of Golden Corner Food Pantry in
Oconee County.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to
meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and
work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric
utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and
the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy