Duke Energy Florida has announced a total of $100,000 in grants to five organizations in Pinellas County to support ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which significantly impacted the region during the 2024 hurricane season.
Each organization will receive $20,000 to aid local residents as they continue to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The recipients are Dunedin Cares Food Pantry, First Contact, Mt. Zion Human Services, Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, and United Way Suncoast.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said, “Our commitment to our customers goes well beyond keeping the lights on. With these grants, we want to ensure all who were impacted by Helene, as well as Milton, have the resources and support they need to continue on the long road to recovery. I’m extremely grateful for our ongoing collaboration with elected officials and community leaders who share in this mission.”
Florida State Senator Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) commented on the community’s resilience: “Hurricane Helene touched every family in Pinellas County in some way, and I have seen firsthand the strength and determination of our community as we rebuild. These grants from Duke Energy will help our neighbors take another step forward. I’m grateful for this partnership and for the local organizations who show up every day to help families recover and thrive.”
Florida State Representative Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) also acknowledged Duke Energy’s involvement: “Duke Energy has been an integral part of Pinellas County’s recovery and rebuilding efforts following the 2024 hurricane season. Our community is resilient, and I look forward to seeing how these grants – and the local organizations working tirelessly to administer them – will help residents get back on their feet and come out stronger than ever before. Pinellas strong.”
Leaders from recipient organizations expressed appreciation for the funding. Micki Thompson, president and CEO of First Contact said: “We are deeply grateful to Duke Energy for this generous support as our community continues to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These funds will allow First Contact to connect more families with the critical resources and services they need to continue rebuilding their lives. Together, we are helping our neighbors move forward with hope and resilience.”
David E. Hale, executive director of Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center stated: “Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center thanks Duke Energy for its leading support and ongoing commitment to the children and families we serve in North Pinellas County. Thanks to Duke, we were able to rapidly respond to unprecedented impacts upon our most at-risk neighbors in the last storm season. With hundreds of families still displaced, Duke’s continued support for the Mattie Williams Center allows us to rehome and stabilize families now, while also preparing them for future challenges.”
Jessica Muroff, CEO of United Way Suncoast added: “We are deeply grateful for this generous gift, which will help us continue supporting families and communities still recovering from last fall’s hurricanes. These funds will be used to provide direct assistance, strengthen our nonprofit partners on the frontlines and ensure that our region is better prepared and more resilient when future storms arise.”
Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida with 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity serving about 2 million customers.
The parent company Duke Energy is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It serves electric utility customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—and owns a total energy capacity of 54,800 megawatts.
For information about preparing for storm season or emergency resources offered by Duke Energy Florida visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.
