In March, our company announced we were joining our affiliate Tampa Electric to donate $1 million to local charities that benefit people financially affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.
• $500,000 is being contributed to the Share program, which supports customers who cannot pay their utility bills. The program, administered by the Salvation Army, was also simplified to provide assistance to more people during the pandemic.
• $500,000 is going to other charitable partner organizations working on the front lines, providing critical support to our community through meals, housing and other assistance. Some of the organizations already benefiting include the United Way, American Red Cross, Advent Health, and Feeding America.
We have also suspended service disconnections for residential and commercial customers through the end of August. While customers should stay as current as possible on their utility bills to avoid accumulating a large balance, we are working to guide customers who are experiencing hardship toward the help they need.
“Our goal is to provide assistance and peace of mind so customers can stay focused on what’s most important – keeping themselves and their family safe and healthy,” said T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas. “It is important for our customers to know that we’re here for them.”
In addition to the company’s contributions (which are paid for by shareholders and do not impact customer bills), our employees have banded together on a personal level to provide additional support by setting up a company-wide Virtual Food Bank Drive in partnership with Feeding America affiliates.
Thousands of dollars have been raised with each dollar being matched by our parent company, Emera. The Virtual Food Bank aids Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Northeast Florida, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Feeding the Gulf Coast and Second Harvest of Central Florida.
“We care about the families and businesses we serve, and we looked for opportunities to support their needs,” said Szelistowski. “We are proud to help provide these critical services across the state through trusted partners from the Panhandle to South Florida.”
While many of us have transitioned to working from home, we stand ready to provide our essential services. You may continue to see us in the community, with a focus on safety and social distancing. Our entire team is working hard to keep your energy on safely, especially now in the height of hurricane season.
Find more information about available resources including storm safety tips, bill payment options, and more at peoplesgas.com.
No Comments Found