Ameren Missouri donates $30,000 to DAEOC to support crisis heat assistance in the Bootheel

From left: Joel Evans, DAEOC president/CEO; Tara Ruby, DAEOC unit leader-Family Services; Scarlett Loomas, DAEOC director of Family & Community Development; Veronica Hamilton, DAEOC energy assistance contract specialist; Laura Klipfel, Ameren Missouri and Scott Foster, Ameren Missouri.

Submitted photo

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Ameren Missouri is donating $30,000 to the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) to provide emergency energy assistance for limited-income customers in Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard counties in Southeast Missouri. The company has partnered with several energy-assistance partners to provide immediate funds to customers impacted by this summer’s extreme temperatures.

“We know we have customers in Southeast Missouri struggling because we experienced a really hot summer,” said Russell Burger, SEMO Division Director for Ameren Missouri. “Ameren Missouri cares about the wellbeing of these most vulnerable customers. With this donation to DAEOC’s energy assistance program, we’ll be able to provide immediate relief to our limited-income neighbors.”

“The Bootheel has some of the highest poverty rates in the state with considerable numbers of elderly and disabled residents. DAEOC’s clients are often faced with choosing among necessities,” explained Scarlett Loomas, Director of Family and Community Development at DAEOC. “Over the years, Ameren has proven itself to be a dedicated partner in the wellbeing of its low-income customers who are struggling with heating and cooling costs. We view this donation as, not just a charitable contribution to those in need, but as an investment in our Bootheel community.”

To see if they qualify for energy assistance funds, Ameren Missouri customers in the DAEOC service area can:

• Contact DAEOC toll free at (800) 598-1818 or online at daeoc.com/contact.

• Contact Heat-Up St. Louis and Heat-Up Missouri online by visiting heatupstlouis.org and heatupmissouri.org for immediate crisis energy assistance.

• Contact their local weatherization agency or the United Way at 2-1-1 for new weatherization support and sustainability program assistance. 

The gift is part of the company’s multiyear, statewide Energy Outreach program designed to help people struggling to make ends meet now due to the extreme summer heat, and lower their energy bills for the months and years to come. The donation comes from corporate earnings and is not charged to customers.

To learn more about Ameren’s Energy Outreach program and other energy assistance resources, customers can go to AmerenMissouri.com/energyassistance.