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.
SOURCE Southern California Gas Company