Ameren Missouri will give $1 million in energy credits to social service agencies across its 57-county service area. Assistance will be in the form of a $1,000 credit to each agency’s Ameren Missouri account. “This program is about helping those who help others,” said Ameren Missouri President and CEO Warner Baxter.
“It is intended to assist social service agencies that are struggling to meet the growing demand for their services with limited resources.”
The Guardian Angel Settlement Association was the first non-profit organization to receive the bill credit.
“This is God-sent,” said the Rev. Edward Murphy, executive director of the Guardian Angel Settlement Association.
“We’re starting with the colder months, and now the money can go to the clients. This is a great bonus to us.”
Guardian Angel Settlement Association was established in 1859 by the Daughters of Charity as an orphanage for young immigrant girls. The agency now serves children, teens, families and older adults. It has a new center on 1127 N. Vandeventer that combines childcare, administration and afterschool programs.
Richard Mark, Ameren Missouri senior vice president, customer operations, said he is excited to know that non-profit organizations will get help to give help.
“It feels good. We know that times are tough, and people are able to have a corporation to commit,” Mark said.
“We believe it’s part of our commitment to help our community and give back. We know that some agencies are struggling and we try to help those that help the people in need.”
To be eligible for the credits, an agency must be a 501(c) (3) organization with annual revenue of less than $5 million and must provide services to help children, the elderly, the disabled, or a combination of these populations. In addition, each agency must have been an Ameren Missouri customer for at least one year.
As previously announced in The American, agencies must complete an online application, available at AmerenMissouri.com through Nov. 26. Agencies will need their Ameren Missouri account number and their Federal I.D. number when applying. The application period may be “closed” early if funds are depleted prior to Nov. 26.
This program is the second phase of a $5 million commitment that the company announced late summer. Like the first phase, a dollar-for-dollar matching program for the Dollar More energy assistance fund, it will be funded by corporate contributions from shareholder funds that are not recovered through Ameren Missouri’s electric or natural gas rates.
For more information on the Guardian Angel Settlement Association, go to guardiansettlement.org. Visit AmerenMissouri.com for applications.
