As Florida’s response to Hurricane Ian continues, Duke Energy Florida has committed US$ 95,000 to support local recovery and rebuilding efforts in communities that have been heavily impacted by the storm.
“During emergencies, our customers count on us,” said Melissa Seixas, state president, Duke Energy Florida. “We are proud to work alongside the organizations that are on the front lines providing critical relief and recovery services across the communities we serve. We are grateful for their service to those impacted by this devastating storm.”
Damage from Hurricane Ian caused more than one million customer outages within the company’s service area. The majority of customers were restored within three days after the storm passed through the affected areas.
Many of the organizations that received funding are among those that are delivering disaster relief and recovery services, including meals, emergency services and supplies to individuals, families and communities across Florida.
Hope Partnership, an organization working to end homelessness and poverty in Central Florida, received a US$ 5000 donation from Duke Energy to provide blankets to those who have been displaced by Hurricane Ian.
“This week at our Client Care Day, we were able to distribute blankets to some of our neighbors who have been displaced by flooding from Ian,” said Rev. Mary Downey, CEO, Hope Partnership . “These individuals are currently staying in emergency shelters, so we were glad to be able to provide these blankets to make that time in the shelter a little more comfortable. Duke Energy provided the funding for these gifts, and we are so grateful to them for helping us continue to care for those most affected by the storm."
Duke Energy Florida has also committed US$ 45,000 to help farmers and ranchers throughout the state rebuild after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian.
Florida Farm Bureau Federation received a US$ 25,000 donation to its Hurricane Ian Relief Fund for Agriculture to support the recovery from agricultural-related losses.
“Like many residents in Florida, many farm and ranch families have suffered significant losses due to Hurricane Ian,” said Jeb S. Smith, president, Florida Farm Bureau Federation. “We are grateful for Duke Energy’s support, which will help us assist our farm families throughout the state that are now recovering from one of the costliest storms in Florida’s history.”
The following community organizations received financial assistance to provide food, water and other disaster relief essentials to communities across Florida.
Statewide
- Florida Farm Bureau Federation – US$ 25,000
- Florida Cattleman’s Foundation – US$ 10,000
- The Alumni Association of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources – US$ 10,000
Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties
- Hardee Help Center – US$ 10,000
- SendMeMissions – US$ 10,000
Orange and Osceola counties
- Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Inc. (OCPS) – US $5000
- Osceola County Council on Aging Inc. – US$ 5000
- Hope Partnership – US$ 5000
Seminole and Volusia counties
- Christian Sharing Center Inc. dba The Sharing Center – US$ 5000
- Meals on Wheels, Etc. Inc. – US$ 5000
- Council on Aging of Volusia County Inc. – US$ 5000
Earlier this month, the company also announced a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross with an additional US$ 50,000 available in matching employee donations for communities in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. An additional US$ 100,000 was also provided to Volunteer Florida’s Disaster Fund to support aid as part of the coordinated disaster response in Florida.
Duke Energy Florida also will be supporting these communities through employee volunteering and purchasing and distributing food and other needed items.
To contribute to the Florida Disaster Fund, visit floridadisasterfund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Contributions to support Hurricane Ian relief through the American Red Cross can be made here.
