In an effort to help working families experiencing financial hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Entergy Charitable Foundation has established the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
Shareholders are giving $700,000 to the effort and will match employee donations up to $100,000.
Grants from the fund will be provided to United Way organizations and other nonprofit partners across Entergy’s service area that are providing services to impacted households, according to a news release.
“To support our most vulnerable customers, Entergy shareholders are committing $700,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to help qualifying customers with basic needs such as food and nutrition, rent and mortgage assistance, and other critical needs until financial situations become more stable,” according to the release.
Company shareholders will also match employee contributions to the COVID-19 relief efforts of local United Way organizations up to $100,000 to maximize impact.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In addition to establishing the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, Entergy is taking these additional steps:
• With support from the regulators, Entergy is temporarily suspending customer disconnects as the company continues to monitor the situation.
• Entergy is working with community advocates to request a funding increase of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help alleviate financial hardships caused by COVID-19 on vulnerable households.
• The comany is developing bill payment solutions and tools to help customers pay their accumulated balances once the disconnect moratorium is lifted.
• Already in place to support vulnerable customers is Entergy’s The Power to Care program, which provides emergency bill payment assistance to seniors and disabled individuals. To mark the 20th anniversary of Entergy’s low-income customer initiative, the limit of shareholders’ dollar for dollar match of customer donations was increased from $500,000 to $1 million per year. Shareholders continue to match employee donations dollar for dollar with no limit, according to the news release.
“The health and safety of our customers, employees and communities is Entergy’s top priority,” said Leo Denault, chairman and CEO of Entergy Corp. “For more than 100 years, Entergy has never wavered in our commitment to supporting our customers and the communities we serve. This pandemic is no different. During this challenging time, we are helping lessen the impact of this crisis on the most vulnerable in our communities. I strongly encourage our business partners to join us in this effort.”
The company knows from past experience that those most heavily impacted are ALICE households (low-wage working families) and low-income elderly and disabled customers – roughly 40%-50% of Entergy’s customer base.
“We know from experience that working families and low-income elderly and disabled customers are hardest hit during times of crisis,” said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of Entergy’s corporate social responsibility. “We are working quickly to make funds available to community partners that serve vulnerable households to lessen the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis and ensure that families have the resources they need to get by during this time of uncertainty.”
For details about Entergy’s COVID-19 preparations and response, visit entergy.com/coronavirus.