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TECO Companies Encourage Helping Neighbors in Need on Giving Tuesday

Share the hope this holiday season and provide needed assistance to those struggling locally

At the end of an unprecedented year, when many people are looking for ways to make a positive difference in their communities, Tampa Electric and TECO Peoples Gas are offering customers an opportunity to share the hope for neighbors in need. On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, and throughout the holiday season, customers can make a contribution to the Share program to help local families who are struggling.

Since 1983, Share, a nonprofit program administered by the Salvation Army, has supported customers who cannot pay their electric or natural gas bills. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that was created in 2012; it is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

“Many of us need a little extra hope this year, and this is a way to make the world brighter for someone in your neighborhood,” said Karen Sparkman, vice president of Customer Experience for Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. “When customers who are struggling receive assistance through Share to pay their electric or natural gas bills, they are able to afford other basic necessities. From Jacksonville to Panama City, to Tampa, Orlando and Miami, your donation to the Share program stays in your community and helps local people.”

Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas have remained committed to supporting customers throughout this difficult time, donating $1 million this year to local charities to benefit people who were affected by the pandemic, including a $500,000 contribution to the Share program. The utilities also connected customers with utility bill-payment resources and other assistance. In total this year, the companies helped 35,000 customers receive $9.7 million in financial assistance.

For more information on donating to Share, visit tampaelectric.com/share or peoplesgas.com/share

Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 780,000 customers in West Central Florida. Peoples Gas System, Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves more than 400,000 customers across the state. Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas are subsidiaries of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Media Contact

For journalist inquiries only:

CHERIE JACOBS | Tampa Electric

702 N. Franklin Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

CLJacobs@TECOEnergy.com
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