LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures
cool across its service area, Southern California Gas Co.
(SoCalGas) is once again inviting customers and employees to
contribute to the company's Gas Assistance Fund, a program that
helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bill with a
one-time grant of up to $100 per
household. Donations will be matched by SoCalGas.
The Gas Assistance Fund is administered by the United Way of
Greater Los Angeles (United Way)
and helps veterans, the elderly, people with disabilities and
families in need pay their natural gas bills so they can cook, have
hot water and heat their homes. United Way partners with nearly 80
nonprofit organizations throughout SoCalGas' service territory to
distribute the grants.
Since 1983, SoCalGas, the company's customers and its employees
have contributed nearly $18 million
to the Gas Assistance Fund, which has helped more than 224,000
individuals, families, seniors and veterans. In 2016, the fund
received $432,000 in donations and
benefitted nearly 4,800 households.
"Through the Gas Assistance Fund, we're able to help some of our
customers who may otherwise not have a warm home during the winter
months," said Lisa Alexander, vice
president of customer solutions and communications at SoCalGas and
United Way board member. "SoCalGas thanks our generous customers
and employees who donate to aid others in need, and we are grateful
for their continuous support of the program for nearly 35
years."
"In Los Angeles County, 1.9 million people live below the
poverty line, and sometimes that means making hard decisions come
pay day," said Elise Buik, president
and CEO of United Way. "The Gas Assistance Fund helps ensure that
more people don't have to make the incredibly difficult decision
between heating their homes and feeding their families. Donating is
a simple but profound gesture, and we're so thankful for everyone
who can support."
Those who wish to contribute to the fund may do so online or by
mailing a check to: Gas Assistance Fund, File 56826, United Way
Inc., P.O. Box 746826, Los Angeles,
CA 90074-6826. Donations are tax-deductible and accepted
year-round.
Those who wish to apply for a grant may do so by filling out an
application at a participating United Way partner agency between
Feb. 2nd and May 31st (or until the fund is
depleted). For additional program information, including a list of
partner agencies and income guidelines, click here.
In addition to the Gas Assistance Fund, SoCalGas offers other
programs and services that can help customers manage home energy
costs. Click here to learn more.
About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los Angeles,
SoCalGas® is the largest natural gas distribution utility in
the United States, providing
clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to 21.7
million customers in Central and Southern
California. Its service territory spans 22,000 square miles
from Fresno to the Mexican border,
reaching more than 550 communities through 5.9 million meters and
101,000 miles of pipeline. More than 90 percent of Southern California single-family home
residents use natural gas for home heat and hot water. In addition,
natural gas plays a key role in providing electricity to
Californians—about 60 percent of electric power generated in the
state comes from gas-fired power plants.
SoCalGas has served communities in California for 150 years and is committed to
being a leader in the region's clean energy future. The company has
committed to spending $6 billion over
the next five years to modernize and upgrade its gas
infrastructure, while also reducing methane emissions. SoCalGas is
working to accelerate the use of renewable natural gas, a
carbon-neutral or carbon-negative fuel created by capturing and
conditioning greenhouse gas emissions from farms, landfills and
wastewater treatment plants. The company is a subsidiary of Sempra
Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company
based in San Diego. For more
information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on
Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.
About United Way Greater Los Angeles
United Way of Greater Los
Angeles is a nonprofit organization fighting to end
homelessness and poverty by providing students with support needed
to graduate high school prepared for college and the workforce,
providing housing for our homeless neighbors, and helping
hard-working families become financially stable. United Way
identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to
solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding
targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information,
visit www.unitedwayla.org.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company