Mississippi Power Foundation pledges $350,000 to assist customers with bills this summer

Gulfport, Miss. – Mississippi Power has announced a plan to help relieve financial pressure on customers in need during the state’s hottest month of the year.

The Mississippi Power Foundation is donating $350,000 to United Way to assist customers with their energy bills as extreme temperatures continue to linger across the company’s service area. This is the third year the Foundation, which is funded by the company’s shareholders, has made a significant donation toward customer assistance during the summer. Mississippi Power customers from the company’s 23-county service territory are eligible to apply for assistance.

“Mississippi Power has been by our customers’ sides for 100 years – ready to assist after a natural disaster or during extreme temperatures,” said Mississippi Power President and CEO Pedro Cherry. “Thanks to our strong partnership with United Way, we’re able to offer our customers assistance when they may need it the most. A relentless heatwave has created an extreme situation for some of our customers, and we hope this assistance will relieve some of the financial pressures they’re facing right now.”

Mississippi Power customers with a demonstrated financial need can contact the following organizations to apply for bill assistance:

• Coast, Hattiesburg, Laurel and surrounding area customers: United Way of South Mississippi via Catholic Charities at 228-701-0555 or 1-855-847-0555.
• Meridian and surrounding area customers: United Way of East Mississippi via Multi-County Community Service Agency at 601-483-4838 or 1-800-898-0659.

“We appreciate the strong partnership we have with Mississippi Power and their recognition of the need we have here in our community,” said United Way of East Mississippi Executive Director and CEO Kym Parnell. “Requests for energy assistance always increase this time of year so we know these funds will help families right here in east Mississippi.”

“The great thing about United Way is that donations like this are returned directly to the families and communities we serve which allows us to make tremendous, localized impacts,” said United Way of South Mississippi CEO Kathy Springer. “We are able to help thousands of people each year and would not be able to do so without Mississippi Power’s support.”

This infusion is just one piece of the Mississippi Power Foundation’s Project SHARE program. Project SHARE is set up year-round for both Mississippi Power customers and employees to make donations to support bill assistance. The company then matches the monthly funds raised, helping customer and employee contributions go further to support neighbors in need. For more information on Project SHARE, and to sign-up to assist your neighbors, please click here.

Customers wanting to build better energy habits this summer can do so by following these energy-saving tips:

• Close blinds and curtains during the day to block the sun’s heat.
• Seal air leaks around doors, windows and other gaps.
• Use larger appliances like washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers during early morning hours or in the evening after the sun has set.
• Bump up the thermostat as high as comfortable. The Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees.

For more resources, such as rebates, an Online Home Checkup and My Power Usage, check out Mississippi Power’s full Energy Saving Toolkit here.

Now in its 100th year of service, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power is proud to be an industry leader in safety and reliability. The company was recognized in 2024 by the Southeastern Electric Exchange for the Top Safety Performance in its generation category. For outstanding storm response, the company has also been honored by the Edison Electric Institute multiple times with an Emergency Response Award. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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