Groups Partner to Help Mississippians in Need
JACKSON, Miss. –As the number of
Mississippians struggling to pay bills continues to grow, those who can provide
help are coming together to get aid to as many of these low-income and
newly-poor people as possible.
The result is the Energy Assistance
Fair, a one-stop shop for Mississippians in need. Here, representatives from
community action agencies, utilities and non-profit groups will help people sign
up for bill payment assistance and credit counseling; teach them how to save
money on utilities and give them free weatherization kits, CFL light bulbs,
energy efficient power strips and more.
“The Energy Assistance Fair came
about as we re-designed our annual Low-Income Summit,” said Napoleon Johnson,
vice president of customer services for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “Usually at
the Summit we talk about ways to address the problems poverty causes. This year,
we are kicking off the conference with an event designed to put those who can
offer help in touch with those who need that help.
“After all, Mississippi has millions
of dollars in funding from numerous sources to help residents in need.”
The event, free and open to the
public, is on Wednesday, May 23, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Jackson
Convention Complex on Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson. Participants are
United Way 2-1-1 Mississippi, Atmos Energy, Centerpoint Energy, Entergy
Mississippi, Inc., Hinds County Human Resource Agency, Mississippi Department of
Human Services, Madison County Citizens Services Agency, Rankin County Human
Resource Agency, South Central Community Action Agency and The Salvation Army.
Entergy’s revamped Low Income Summit,
now in its 13th year, will follow the fair at 5 p.m. with an opening reception.
Governor Phil Bryant is the keynote speaker. “Positioned for Progress,” a joint
conference featuring statewide leaders from Mississippi’s non-profits,
government agencies, foundations and volunteer organizations, will meet May 23
through May 25 to address the state’s pressing needs in the areas of poverty,
education, disaster relief, creative economy and volunteer service.
Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides
electricity to more than 435,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of
Entergy Corporation. Entergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily
in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns
and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric
generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the
United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
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entergy-mississippi.com
Twitter: @EntergyMS
