Power to Care program protects older adults, disabled customers

LITTLE ROCK — The Power to Care program at Entergy Arkansas received donations of $581,928 in 2021, which in turn helped more than 1,200 older adults and customers with disabilities keep their lights on, according to a news release.

Funded by donations and Entergy shareholders, the program provides emergency bill payment assistance for elderly and disabled customers, who are typically on a fixed income and therefore more greatly impacted by utility costs, the release said.

Customer contributions to the program are tax-deductible and matched by Entergy shareholders up to $1 million annually, and employee contributions are matched dollar-for-dollar with no cap — doubling the impact.

“Our focus on helping the most vulnerable is rooted in the reality of the communities we serve, because 25% of the three million residential customers across all Entergy service areas live in poverty,” Liz Brister, manager of low-income customer initiatives and financial assistance, said in the release.

For more than 20 years, partner agencies have helped Entergy identify and distribute The Power to Care funding to customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In 2021, The Power to Care provided $3.1 million in assistance to more than 9,000 customers across the company’s fourstate territory.

“Our commitment to our customers in need will never waver,” Brister said, “and 100% of the donations go directly to support the program. Because no one should have to choose between food or medicine or electricity, we will continue to partner with local agencies to provide opportunities for customers to access resources to pay their bills and gain financial comfort.”

Donations can be made to the program online or through the MyEntergy app. For more information on how to get assistance or to contribute to the program, visit The Power to Care webpage and http://www.entergy-arkansas. com for a list of The Power to Care community partners.