LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is once again inviting customers and employees to contribute to the company's Gas Assistance Fund, a bill-assistance program that helps income-qualified customers facing financial hardships with a one-time grant of up to $100 per customer. As in years past, SoCalGas partners with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles to distribute the funds to customers who face hardships.
"The Gas Assistance Fund gives help to some of our customers who are facing emergency situations," said Gillian Wright, vice president of customer services for SoCalGas. "We'd like to thank our caring customers and employees whose generous donations for 31 years have helped improve the quality of life of our customers who need extra support. We gratefully welcome their support."
"This year, we can help thousands have the gift of warmth," said Christine Marge, director of housing stability at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "No one in our communities should have to choose between keeping warm or buying groceries. We are grateful to those who have supported the program for the past 31 years and continue to support those in need through the Gas Assistance Fund."
Anyone interested in making a contribution is asked to mail their voluntary tax-deductible donations to: United Way, Gas Assistance Fund, File 56826, Los Angeles, CA 90074-6826, or donate online at www.unitedwayla.org.
Since the program's inception in 1983, SoCalGas customers, employees, and shareholders have contributed more than $21 million, with funds distributed annually. The Gas Assistance Fund is administered by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and has so far helped more than 220,000 SoCalGas customers pay their natural gas utility bills in times of need.
SoCalGas collects donations to the Gas Assistance Fund throughout the year and will distribute the funds between February and the end of May 2015, or until they are depleted. Customers can visit socalgas.com (search "GAF") to learn if they qualify for a grant. SoCalGas and United Way of Greater Los Angeles work with 80 to 100 volunteer, nonprofit and community-based organizations throughout its service territory to help income-qualified customers obtain a grant to pay their natural gas utility bill.
In addition to the Gas Assistance Fund, SoCalGas offers other customer assistance programs and services that can help customers manage home energy costs during the winter months. More information is available at socalgas.com or toll-free at (800) 427-2200 or (800) 342-4545 in Spanish.
About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21 million consumers connected through more than 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).
Contact: Anne Silva | Southern California Gas Co.
24-Hour Media Hotline: 877.643.2331 | socalgas.com/news-room | @SoCalGasNews
About United Way of Greater Los Angeles
The mission of United Way of Greater Los Angeles is to permanently break the cycle of poverty for our most vulnerable neighbors: families, children, veterans and the homeless. We focus on three key issues that form the root causes of poverty: homelessness, education and income. Our programs ensure that individuals and families have stable housing, quality schools and steady income. We succeed by leveraging the community's collective giving, volunteerism and advocacy to create scalable and sustainable pathways out of poverty. For more information, visit www.unitedwayla.org.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110110/MM27708LOGO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141204/162328LOGO
SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.