Summit Utilities Arkansas (Summit) has committed to supporting Arkansas Foodbank as its Volunteer Sponsor for 2022. As part of that commitment, Summit presented a $10,000 donation to Arkansas Foodbank on Wednesday, March 30. In addition to the donation, that same afternoon, Summit team members volunteered their time to sort pantry items that will be distributed to 33 counties across the state.
“Summit is dedicated to stepping up and helping our community whenever possible,” said Cindy Westcott, Vice President of Operations at Summit. “Arkansas Foodbank is a cornerstone of hunger relief in southern and central Arkansas. The team at Summit is happy to lend our support to feed the one in five Arkansans who suffer from food insecurity.”
Arkansas ranks second in the nation for food insecurity. Feeding America projects that 11 percent more Arkansans are experiencing hunger since the start of the pandemic, totaling more than 530,000 people today. That number includes one in four children, who may not have enough to eat. Summit’s donation and volunteer efforts will provide 50,000 meals for Arkansas Foodbank. This donation will fill weekend backpacks for children, food boxes for home-bound seniors, and shelves at food pantries for families in need.
“Food insecurity is a significant barrier that prevents so many from living, working, and thriving in Arkansas,” said Sherri Jones, Annual Giving Director with Arkansas Foodbank. “Summit Utilities is helping remove that barrier by funding the Foodbank’s volunteer program. With their generous $10,000 gift, our Volunteer Operations Center can continue to host thousands of volunteers every year that assure hungry children, seniors, and families have the resources and support they need to thrive.”
In 2021, Arkansas Foodbank distributed more than 38.5 million pounds of food across its 33-county service area.
This volunteer opportunity for team members of Summit Utilities Arkansas was made possible by Summit’s volunteer time off program. This program provides team members up to 20 hours a year of paid time off to volunteer in their communities.
Background on Summit Utilities, Inc.’s Recent Acquisition:
Summit finalized its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area on January 10, 2022. The gas distribution systems included in the transaction serve approximately 525,000 customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and include 17,000 miles of gas main pipeline across those three states. As part of the acquisition, Summit has welcomed nearly 600 CenterPoint team members to the company.
For the next twelve months Summit and CenterPoint will work together to migrate all operations and services to Summit. During that transition period, CenterPoint will continue to provide certain services to customers on behalf of Summit including aspects of billing, customer support and marketing.
For more information click here.
Background on Summit Utilities, Inc.
Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.
