Duke Energy Foundation Fights Food Insecurity In Florida With $125,000 In Donations

Today, the Duke Energy Foundation announced $125,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations that help get food on the table for those in need. These contributions add to last fall’s $100,000 donation to Feeding Florida in response to hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

“Duke Energy Florida is proud to support local nonprofits dedicated to providing food and fighting hunger on behalf of Floridians during difficult times,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Together, with these organizations, we can decrease the number of families in our community that are experiencing hunger.”

The Duke Energy Foundation supports individuals and families having access to healthy meals as a critical measure to support the success of the communities the company serves. Grants have been awarded to the organizations below that provide necessary food and nutrition to people of all ages, from children to seniors:

• Feed Hunger Now: $10,000
  This Seminole County organization will use funds to further its sustainable food garden, which supports its 115-bed homeless shelter, as well as other local food agencies.
   
• Backpack Buddies: $10,000
  These funds will be used to continue operating their existing “kids pack” program and expand it to an additional school, providing school-aged children with food for the weekends in Volusia County.
   
• Seniors First: $20,000
  Seniors First operates Orange County’s Meals on Wheels program, as well as an Emergency Meals on Wheels program. This funding will fund nutritious meals to senior citizens in their long-term program or for 30 days after facing a crisis.
   
• Osceola County Council on Aging: $40,000
  The Osceola County Council on Aging has community drive-through food pantries, as well as mobile food pantries for those with transportation challenges. This funding will support the continuation of these operations.
   
• Council on Aging of Volusia County: $5,000
  The Council on Aging of Volusia County serves vulnerable seniors. This grant will support their “Aging with Dignity” program that provides critical nutrition through protein drinks, along with incontinence and hygiene products, to senior citizens who would otherwise not be able to afford these necessities.
   
• St. Petersburg Free Clinic: $30,000
  Funds will support the organization’s We Help FRESH Pantry and Skyway expanded food bank locations, which provide free nutritious, fresh groceries to Pinellas County residents.
   
• Metropolitan Ministries: $10,000
  Funds will support the organization’s hunger relief program for residents in Pasco County.

“Both our Meals on Wheels and Emergency Meals on Wheels programs are a critical lifeline to vulnerable seniors in our community,” said Marsha Lorenz, president of Seniors First. “The support of the Duke Energy Foundation will allow us to continue providing healthy meals and well-being checks to allow underserved older adults to age with dignity and independence.”

Duke Energy Foundation

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 Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

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 energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

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