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Duke Energy with support from Duke Energy Foundation has launched the company's annual month-long campaign to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state.
The initiative will provide over $600,000 to more than 60 feeding programs leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday and culminate in final surprise grant announcements on Giving Tuesday.
Duke Energy employees will also provide their time and talents volunteering with organizations throughout the month.
This year's campaign also consists of a contribution of $100,000 to the One SC Fund recently activated by Gov. Henry McMaster to support food banks across the state.
Officials say more than 750,000 people lack consistent access to high-quality meals. That's 1 in 7 people facing hunger in the state every day, and 1 in 6 of those are children.
Throughout November, Duke Energy will highlight critical community partners that do the work to fight hunger, including Harvest Hope Food Bank, Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina and AIM, among many others.
The month-long campaign began Nov. 6, when Duke Energy joined Mill Village Farms, WYFF, Bon Secours Wellness Arena and nearly 200 volunteers from dozens of companies and organizations around Greenville to bag nearly 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving food boxes to be distributed by FoodShare South Carolina hubs and other food programs across South Carolina.
Additionally, Duke Energy Foundation contributed $105,000 to FoodShare South Carolina organizations across the company's service territory, including $39,000 to Mill Village Farms.
Said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy's South Carolina president: "Our hope is by shining a light on these organizations they will continue to receive the support they need to help address the real problem of hunger in our communities. They are fighting the good fight every day in communities across our state, but now more than ever they cannot do it alone."
To find a community feeding partner near you, search online at SC211.org or text "FOOD" to 211211.
Created and managed by the United Way Association of South Carolina, this text message platform was the first United Way program in the nation to offer this resource and launched with support from Duke Energy Foundation.
Customers struggling to put food on the table are also likely making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their electricity bill. Learn more at duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
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