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TOP STORY OF THE DAY - A grant will be used to recover lost food
A grant will be used to support local families who lost their food supplies in storms earlier this month
The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $170,000 in grants to local communities and organizations affected by devastating storms in late June and early July.
“When disaster strikes, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in helping families and communities get back on their feet,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “We know that the road to recovery will be long for those in hard-hit areas, and we’re committed to supporting our customers and communities in the days and weeks ahead as they rebuild.”
Pinegar spoke to a crowd gathered at Rick’s Smokehouse in Terre Haute Wednesday.
Pinegar spoke about the massive storm front that caused destruction in the Wabash Valley and impacted all service territories in the Duke Energy Indiana territory except one (of 69) over five days.
“Our crews and 1,000 from other areas would make progress, and another storm would come along. It was frustrating,” said Pinegar, who admitted not everyone was satisfied with the response, but it wouldn’t have been possible if the affected communities didn’t have various police, fire, and first responders as well as neighbors helping neighbors that sprung into action. “This was a tremendous effort. At first, we thought this would be the most impactful storm in these areas. As we began to assess the damage, we learned this storm is the worst in modern times. But I am very proud of the magnitude of the effort everyone put forth.”
Pinegar said one example behind the scenes was the customer service personnel taking phone calls.
“There were more than 110,00 calls for service,” said Pinegar. “But we only had one complaint filed. All that damage; chainsaws clearing trees, lines down, internet out, street lights out. And the list goes on, but we didn’t have any injuries reported.”
The storms, described as once-in-a-generation occurrences, did have teachable moments. Pinegar said the system that estimates restoration times needs improvement.
“The public wants that kind of information in a situation like that, and they deserve a more accurate service,” Pinegar said.
According to Duke Energy, approximately 330,000 power outages occurred as more than 150 miles of power lines and more than 200 utility poles succumbed to the storms’ violent winds starting June 29 and continued for five days. Making the incident one of the most devastating ever to hit Duke Energy’s Indiana system, West Central Indiana was at Ground Zero.
On July 4, the Clay County Commissioners signed a Declaration of Emergency.
On Wednesday, the Duke Energy Foundation provided $170,000 in grants to support various assistance programs for individuals and families in need and ongoing restoration efforts, including clearing debris and fixing damaged infrastructure.
Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham and Planning and Zoning Administrator Janet McClellan were on hand to receive a $10,000 grant, which will be used to supply food for Clay County residents in need.
A local farmer has been contacted about providing cattle that will be butchered for meat products.
“We get a little more bang for our buck doing that,” said Wyndham, who explained the Clay County Emergency Food Pantry will work in conjunction to create a program to deliver the food once the details are finalized.
Other areas to receive the Duke Energy Foundation Grants include:
§ American Red Cross of Indiana (Statewide) – $50,000
The American Red Cross of Indiana delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing-up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks.
§ Salvation Army Indiana Division (Statewide) – $50,000
The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm.
§ United Way of Monroe County (Monroe County) – $30,000
United Way of Monroe County is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits.
§ Putnam County Community Foundation (Putnam County) – $10,000
The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms.
§ Rediscover Clinton (Vermillion County) – $10,000
Following storm damage in Clinton, funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community – including beautification work and community events.
§ Terre Haute Parks Department (Vigo County) – $10,000
The grant funds will be used to restore the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park, which was severely damaged by the storms. In addition, the funding will be used to support countywide park restoration and cleanup efforts.