Wednesday, November 13, 2024

VNG Awards $750,000 to Salvation Army to Assist in Winter Energy Bill Relief

(WYDaily/File photo)
(WYDaily/File photo)

VIRGINIA BEACH — Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) announced a $750,000 grant to the Salvation Army Wednesday to help those who may be struggling financially to meet their energy needs this winter. 

The donation will be used to fund EnergyShare, a program administered by the Salvation Army that provides financial assistance with energy costs for those customers experiencing economic hardship, according to a VNG press release. 

VNG said it is the largest single grant ever presented by the company. 

“We have a long history of partnering with the Salvation Army to assist in helping our neighbors and community in times of need,” said Robert Duvall, president of Virginia Natural Gas. “We know these have been challenging financial times that have put an extra burden on family budgets, and we are here to help the communities we are privileged to serve.” 

VNG said the donation is part of its commitment “to invest and improve the lives of those in the communities it serves through grants, charitable giving and employee volunteerism.” VNG said it uses non-ratepayer dollars for grants to organizations that promote its values and impacts its customers, including energy assistance programs. 

“We are very appreciative of our long-standing partnership with Virginia Natural Gas, and this donation will help and serve families in need, especially this winter,” said Major Donald Dohmann, area commander for the Salvation Army of Hampton Roads. “There are so many families in our area that need financial assistance with energy bills, among other things, and we can say, ‘yes, we can help,’ and not turn people away.” 

EnergyShare, administered by the Salvation Army, is a year-round assistance program for qualified customers that has offered energy bill payment assistance since 1982. The program is not income based, any customer in financial need is eligible, and it has traditionally been funded through contributions from Virginia Natural Gas employees and customers who voluntarily make donations via their monthly natural gas bill payment. 

More than 120 families received assistance from the EnergyShare program in 2021, and 150 families have received assistance so far in 2022. 

“We are grateful for Virginia Natural Gas and the $750,000 donation,” added Dohmann. “This will allow us to make a huge impact and difference in the lives of those we serve.” 

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