Southern California Gas Co. invited the utility's customers and employees to help their neighbors this season by donating to the company's Gas Assistance Fund on Thursday.
The fund helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bills with a one-time grant of up to $100 per household. Contributions to the fund will be matched by SoCalGas.
The Gas Assistance Fund helps veterans, seniors, people with disabilities and families in need pay their natural gas bills. The fund is administered by United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which partners with nearly 90 nonprofit organizations throughout SoCalGas' service territory, to manage and distribute the grants.
"We are continually amazed at the generosity of our customers and employees, who donate to help others," said Sharon Tomkins, the utility's vice president of customer solutions. “SoCalGas is grateful to everyone who has supported the Gas Assistance Fund over the last 35 years."
Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, called SoCalGas "an important partner in ending poverty in Los Angeles County." She said for families struggling with financial hardship, the one- time gas assistance grant can keep them warm during the cold winter months.
Contributions can be made 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.
Grant applications can be filled out at participating United Way of Greater Los Angeles partner agencies, between Feb. 12 and May 31, or until the fund is depleted.
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Last year, the SoCalGas Assistance Fund received $238,000 in donations and benefited nearly 2,600 households in Central and Southern California.
Since 1983, the company and its customers and employees have contributed nearly $19 million to the Gas Assistance Fund, helping more than 226,000 individuals and families.
SoCalGas delivers renewable natural gas service to almost 22 millio ustomers across Central and Southern California.
