Before sunrise, hundreds of Arkansans were already lined up outside the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. Some came hoping to receive assistance with their utility bills. Others were looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient or connect with community resources. By the time the doors opened, the line had already wrapped around the building.
For Entergy Arkansas, that’s exactly why Customer Care Pop-Up events are traveling across the state this summer.
“Affordability is one of those ways we can assist our customers, so this is a really great program,” said Marshunda Jones, Entergy Arkansas customer service manager. “Arkansas has extremely hot summers and a lot of times during the summer we see those energy bills going up. This is a great way for us to help our customers not only beat the heat but also provide a variety of other resources.”
The events bring together Entergy Arkansas customer service representatives, Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC), which helps eligible customers apply for LIHEAP assistance, and dozens of community partners—all under one roof.
In addition to bill assistance, customers had access to organizations including the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund and the Workforce bus.
Customer Care Pop-Ups are one of the many ways Entergy Arkansas is advancing the Affordable Power pillar of its Next Generation Arkansas vision. By connecting customers with bill assistance programs, energy efficiency education and personalized support from customer service representatives, the company is helping families better manage their energy costs while ensuring they have access to the resources available to them. The events also strengthen partnerships with community organizations, making it easier for customers to receive multiple forms of assistance in one convenient location.
For Michelle Arnold, the timing couldn’t have been better.
“In the summertime it is really needed especially with the kids being out of school,” Arnold said. “I thought it would be perfect time to get that little extra assistance.”
She wasn’t alone. Navy veteran Franklin Daley said assistance programs like LIHEAP make a real difference for customers like him.
“I’ve got an apartment and it’s all electric so if y’all couldn’t help us I’d be kind of lost,” Daley said. “I think it’s great that Entergy and other organizations come together to help people.”
From utility assistance to energy education and connections with community organizations, the Customer Care Pop-Up events are designed to give customers the tools they need to navigate the summer months. For Jones, seeing those resources make a difference firsthand is the most rewarding part of the job.
“I think that is the best feeling, just connecting with the customers and understanding what their needs are and really being able to meet them where they are,” she said.
Those face-to-face conversations continue to drive Entergy Arkansas’s commitment to serving the next generation of Arkansas.
