Dominion Donates More Than $300,000 to Food Banks During Holidays

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion is donating more than $300,000 to help feed people in need during the holidays, with many grants earmarked to help children.

"The U.S. economy has sputtered along for the past several years, putting many out of work and in need of basic necessities such as food, shelter and medical care," said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion.  "At this time of year we especially feel the plight of those facing hunger."

The grants are being made through The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, one of the nation's largest energy producers.  Foundation grants are funded by shareholder dollars and are not borne by customers.

Grants are being awarded to: Virginia and District of Columbia, $117,000; Maryland, $25,000; Midwest, $50,000; New England, $107,500; North Carolina, $5,000; Ohio, $80,500; Pennsylvania, $10,000; Texas, $14,000, and West Virginia, $26,000. (Note to editors: A detailed list  is available on Dominion's website at http://www.dom.com/about/community/pdf/2011food-banks.pdf .)

Since the start of 2011, the Foundation has donated a total of $435,000 through 67 grants to local, state and national anti-hunger organizations in areas where the company does business. This includes Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Grants have ranged from $1,000 to $25,000.

Typical of these contributions was a recent grant of $10,000 to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona, Va., for its "Backpack" program that feeds hungry children at night and on weekends when they cannot get food at public school.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, with high unemployment and rising poverty rates, more than 16 million children across America are now considered to be at risk of not having enough to eat.

"So many are in need of assistance and food banks are often the last place people can turn to get food for themselves and their children," said Ross Fraser, spokesperson for Feeding America. "Given the demand, especially at this time of year, food banks are stretched thin for resources.  We truly appreciate The Dominion Foundation recognizing and responding to this need."

Dominion and The Dominion Foundation's total giving are expected to reach more than $20 million this year. Company employees have also contributed more than 100,000 volunteer hours to various charitable and community programs designed to improve life in the localities where the company operates its energy facilities.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 28,200 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com. 

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SOURCE Dominion