Virginia Natural Gas joins Southern Company Gas in donations to local nonprofits for Coronavirus response and relief

VNG to donate more than $300,000 to Coastal Virginia organizations as part of $2.5 million investment by Southern Company Gas

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – March 25, 2020 – Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is joining its parent company, Southern Company Gas, and will donate $200,000 to Coastal Virginia relief organizations to support their efforts to provide essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

This is in addition to the actions taken last week of providing $110,000 to the Salvation Army’s EnergyShare Program and $5,000 to their foodbank, for a total donation of more than $300,000 from Virginia Natural Gas and its foundation.

“VNG is committed to helping our community and assessing the needs of those we serve to determine where we can help during this challenging time,” said Jim Kibler, VNG president. “This donation and our continued partnerships with these worthwhile relief organizations are essential in efforts to help our customers address their needs during the COVID-19 health crisis.”

The latest $200,000 donation will be distributed to five agencies including the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula and United Way of South Hampton Roads, and The Foodbank of Virginia Peninsula and Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Funds will also be allocated to Union Mission Ministries, along with Senior Services of Southeast Virginia and the Peninsula Agency on Aging which supports the various Meals on Wheels programs across the region.

Since the beginning of the recent COVID-19 pandemic across the country, nonprofits have been experiencing a disruption in fundraising and decreased volunteer support due to the recently announced safety protocols. Virginia Natural Gas is committed to investing in critical organizations throughout Hampton Roads so they have the resources needed to continue operating at the highest levels to be able to service those in need.

For example, VNG’s donation to the Union Mission as well as the Foodbank of Virginia Peninsula and Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia will provide the necessary funding to help purchase and safely distribute food items to members of the community in need. The donation to Senior Services of Southeast Virginia and the Peninsula Agency on Aging Meals ensures homebound residents and seniors across Hampton Roads continue to receive delivery of a hot lunch and a brown-bag dinner through the Meals on Wheels program while serving one of the most vulnerable populations.

“We are extremely grateful for the donation from Virginia Natural Gas to help support our Meals On Wheels home-delivery meal service for seniors, especially since they are at greatest risk from the coronavirus,” said Steve Zollos, chief executive officer of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. “As it becomes increasingly risky for seniors to leave their homes, it is essential to provide them with the food they need so they can stay at home and limit any exposure to the virus. This generous gift from Virginia Natural Gas will allow us to provide 10,000 additional meals to the seniors in South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula.”

The donation from Virginia Natural Gas is part of a larger contribution by its parent company, through its Southern Company Gas Charitable Foundation, which made an announcement Monday of an immediate investment of $2.5 million to support COVID-19 relief efforts in communities across its operations footprint.

These efforts follow a decision March 14 by Southern Company Gas’ local distribution companies, including Virginia Natural Gas, to institute a moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment, continuing service for those economically impacted by COVID-19.

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About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides natural gas service to nearly 300,000 customers in southeast Virginia and has been recognized as one of the safest, most reliable and customer-focused natural gas service providers. Consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the company has also been recognized by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association for its safety, community outreach and educational programs, and was named Local Distribution Company for three consecutive years. Virginia Natural Gas has been ranked by its business customers as being one of the most Trusted Business Partners in the utility industry according to Cogent Reports, and as one of the Top Workplaces in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company.  Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 700,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

Media Contact:
Rick DelaHaya
o: 757.616.7510 | c: 757.323.7366 | rdelahay@southernco.com