Operation Cereal Box: BC Hydro partners with food banks
Operation Cereal Box: BC Hydro partners with food banks to distribute energy savings kits to low-income customers
Vancouver, B.C. – Thousands of cereal boxes headed for Metro Vancouver food banks this month don’t just pack nutrition. They also include a tip and an offer that can help low-income customers cut energy bills.
Through "Operation Cereal Box", 4,000 boxes of Safeway’s healthy Open Nature Granola will feature a sticker that informs consumers how to get a free BC Hydro Energy Savings Kit. The kit contains energy-efficient lighting, a low-flow showerhead, weather-stripping, and an energy-saving nightlight.
Qualifying customers who are interested in receiving the kit simply need to register online at bchydro.com/freekit or phone BC Hydro at 1-800-BC Hydro with their BC Hydro account number and total household income. Kits will be couriered to eligible customers free of charge.
Starworks, a non-profit organization that employs people with developmental disabilities, will sticker the cereal boxes before they are delivered to food banks. Many of the Starworks employees live below the poverty line and their employment at the organization supplements their earnings. Starworks has been working with BC Hydro for more than 30 years providing assembly of hot-line insulator tie wires. As a result, BC Hydro directly supports the employment of four people with developmental disabilities.
Operation Cereal Box is made possible thanks to a partnership between BC Hydro, FortisBC, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Safeway, the Salvation Army, Surrey Food Bank, and Sources White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank.
Quotes
Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines:
“Energy Savings Kits are a great way for low-income families to save money as they offer a variety of products that will help reduce energy use. We hope that by being made aware of the program, people will take advantage of the offer while learning other ways to be energy-efficient and cut down on their energy bills.”
Lisa Coltart, Executive Director of Power Smart and Customer Care, BC Hydro:
“Many of our rebate incentives aren’t accessible to customers who have limited disposable income. We are happy to partner with these community-serving organizations to help raise awareness of the Energy Savings Kits.”
Facts
- As of December, 2011, BC Hydro has distributed 50,000 kits resulting in over 15 gigawatts/year in electricity savings, or enough energy to power more than 1,300 homes in a year
- Energy Savings Kits may help customers save up to $100 per year on their power bill.
- Energy Saving Kits are funded by BC Hydro and FortisBC.
- BC Hydro has another program targeted at low-income customers: the Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP).
- ECAP is designed to assist qualified low-income BC Hydro residential customers to lower their electricity consumption, reduce hydro costs, and increase customer's energy conservation. The program offers a free home energy evaluation by a professional contractor, personalized energy efficiency advice, and the installation of eligible energy savings products, all for free.
- As of December, 2011, 3700 customers have accessed ECAP.
About BC Hydro
Fifty years ago, British Columbians turned to BC Hydro to build the clean electricity system they count on to power B.C.'s economy, create jobs in every region, and keep the lights on. Now, BC Hydro is building again for the next 50 years. B.C. continues to grow and so has the need for more electricity. That's why BC Hydro is building, renewing, and encouraging conservation to meet today's needs and those of future generations. In 2011, BC Hydro is celebrating 50 years of providing power for British Columbians, and inviting them to help prepare for the next 50 years.
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For more information, please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Direct: 604 928 6468
Web: www.bchydro.com/media