Duke Energy Ohio and its customers provide $310,000 to The Salvation Army for 2018 HeatShare program

News provided by

Jan 16, 2018, 11:03 ET

CINCINNATI, Jan. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army received $100,000 from Duke Energy Ohio in addition to $210,000 in customer contributions and matching funds for the 2018 HeatShare program. The program provides people in need with financial assistance to pay for utilities. In many cases, these individuals and families face disconnection of utilities and possible eviction as a result of their inability to stay current on their utility bills.

The HeatShare program is available to eligible Duke Energy customers in southwest Ohio and provides heating assistance from Jan. 16 to April 30, 2018, or until funds are all used. If funds are available after April 30, they may be used for cooling assistance until depleted. People in need of assistance may call The Salvation Army HeatShare line at 513.762.5636 to schedule an appointment for the program or to get more information.

"HeatShare has been a vital program in Ohio for over 30 years, helping families and individuals in need," explained Cindy Givens, program manager at Duke Energy. "We're delighted to partner with our customers and The Salvation Army to help ensure those in need won't be cold this winter, especially with the single-digit temperatures we experienced earlier this month."

HeatShare was established in 1986 to assist Ohio residents in need with winter heating bills and is funded by Duke Energy customers, employees and shareholders. In 2017, over 19,000 Duke Energy Ohio customers voluntarily added a HeatShare contribution to their monthly bill and contributed $110,000 to the fund. Duke Energy Ohio provided a $100,000 donation and then matched all customer and employee donations up to $100,000. In 2017, the HeatShare program provided utility assistance to 810 families across southwest Ohio. Additional information about the program can be found on the Duke Energy Ohio website.

Duke Energy customers in Northern Kentucky can receive WinterCare assistance and should contact their county's Neighborhood Center or the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission at 859.581.6607.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, please visit salvationarmycincinnati.org.

About Duke Energy
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky's operations provide electric service to about 850,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area and natural gas service to approximately 529,000 customers.

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Follow Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Duke Energy Contact: Sally Thelen
Office: 513.287.2432 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
The Salvation Army Contact: Julie Budden
Office: 513.704.4244

SOURCE Duke Energy