Aid provided to community action agencies to help ease the strain on families this winter

Kentucky Utilities and Old Dominion Power contribute more than $90,000 to help agencies provide vital services

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2014) – Even as temperatures across the region begin to thaw, some families across Kentucky and Virginia are still feeling the chill of the winter season. Winter 2014 is trending colder overall, with January and February to date each coming in about 35 percent colder than last year. The extreme conditions put a freeze on the finances of many who are still struggling to deal with the cold weather’s impact on their heating bills.

To assist community action agencies’ efforts in taking some of the strain off residents needing assistance, Kentucky Utilities Co. and Old Dominion Power Co., the name by which KU operates in Virginia, are contributing more than $90,000 to 20 community action agencies across the utilities’ service territories. Community action agencies in Barbourville, Bowling Green, Covington, Flemingsburg, Frankfort, Harlan, Hopkinsville, Jackson, Jamestown, LaGrange, Lebanon, Lexington, Manchester, Mayfield, Owensboro, Pineville, Richmond, Shelbyville and West Liberty in Kentucky, as well as Norton, Va., are receiving the funds.

“We know residents and nonprofits alike have been feeling the pinch of the weather’s impact this season,” said John P. Malloy, vice president of Customer Services for KU and ODP. “By working with the Community Action Council and other community action agencies in Kentucky and the Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency in Virginia, it’s our hope they’ll be able to use these grant dollars to reach out to those having trouble making ends meet right now.”

The aid is part of an additional $200,000 identified by the utilities to be allocated to community action groups, shelters and other nonprofit organizations within its service territories — specifically to address heightened concerns stemming from the unusually cold season.

In addition to providing the grants, KU and ODP are also willing to work with residential customers challenged by the cold weather’s impact on their utility bills. Residential customers anticipating difficulty paying their bills are encouraged to contact customer service representatives, who will address their individual situation. KU and ODP residential customers can dial (800) 981-0600.