- Working closely with local leaders and nonprofits to
provide ongoing essential support to those impacted by Hurricane
Helene
- Tops $20.5 million in disaster
readiness and recovery investments during past five years
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devastating
impacts of Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy Foundation announces a
$1 million commitment to nonprofits
providing vital assistance to affected communities across the
Southeast.
"Our hearts are with the communities devastated by Helene's
deluge and damage," said Amy
Strecker, president, Duke Energy Foundation. "At Duke
Energy, we are working tirelessly to respond to the storm,
addressing both power restoration and immediate and long-term
community support."
Funding will aid a variety of organizations providing food,
shelter and other urgent needs, ensuring that relief efforts reach
those who need it most. Duke Energy Foundation will continue making
donations responsive to evolving needs as communities recover and
nonprofits stand up their short- and long-term efforts. This
additional funding builds upon the Foundation's work ahead of the
storm and year-round commitment to preparedness and resiliency.
"Our communities require time and resources to recover and
rebuild from Hurricane Helene," Strecker continued. "We are in
constant conversation with nonprofit partners navigating the
impacts on their own operations to bring relief, comfort and
stability to those most affected by the storm. It's moments like
these that reinforce how our community partners are generous in
support for their neighbors, working through difficult conditions
to help one another."
The American Red Cross has been on the ground across Helene's
footprint since before the storm, providing shelter, food and
critical relief.
"Duke Energy Foundation's timely and generous support is making
a significant impact on our ability to provide essential relief and
recovery services to families affected by Hurricane Helene,"
said Anne McKeough, chief development officer, American Red
Cross. "We are grateful for partners like Duke Energy Foundation as
we work together to provide comfort and hope to people in need when
the unthinkable happens."
In the past five years, Duke Energy and its Foundation have
invested more than $20.5 million
in emergency readiness and response across the states we serve.
Duke Energy volunteers have packed thousands of no-cost storm kits
and contributed $3.3 million of their
own money and volunteer time in the same five-year window.
North
Carolina
In North
Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation has made a lead grant to
the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at the United
Way of North Carolina.
"United Way of North Carolina
is grateful for the quick response and generosity of our partners
at Duke Energy Foundation," said Brittany
Pruitt Fletcher, president and CEO, United Way of
North Carolina. "As fellow first
responders, they understand the unique challenges of disasters, and
the need to support our organization's efforts to deploy resources
in a timely manner. With this leading and substantial gift, their
philanthropy will allow United Way to offer a match challenge to
encourage community donors to support both immediate and long-term
recovery efforts in the most impacted areas."
South
Carolina
Access to food is a critical need for
storm-stricken communities, and South
Carolina nonprofit organizations like Harvest Hope are
answering the call.
"As we continue to assess the needs of our communities here in
South Carolina, we're grateful for
partners like the Duke Energy Foundation," said Erinn Rowe, executive director of Harvest Hope.
"These recovery efforts will take some time and we want to be
flexible to respond to the changing needs, and investments like
these help make that happen."
Florida
Volunteer Florida has activated to address the most
pressing needs of Floridians seeking relief from
Helene's destruction.
"On behalf of Volunteer Florida, we extend our sincere gratitude
to Duke Energy Foundation for their generous financial contribution
to the Florida Disaster Fund in support of recovery efforts across
the state following Hurricane Helene," said Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida. "Their
support will be instrumental in providing essential services to
help rebuild impacted communities."
As the 2024 storm season continues through November, customers
are also encouraged to download the enhanced American Red Cross Emergency app.
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 X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy