Duck River Electric is donating $6,500, which will be matched by Tennessee Valley Authority through its Community Care Fund, making a total of $13,000 available to assist charity organizations that partner with the cooperative’s Project HELP program in Coffee and Moore counties.

“In these two counties served by Duck River, the number of applications for Project HELP assistance outweighs the level of donations the program receives,” said DREMC’s President and CEO Scott Spence. “The Coffee and Moore County agencies finish each month with lower balances as compared to the other agencies due to the community size and the number of applicants applying for help with paying their electric bills.”

Project HELP is DREMC’s emergency residential energy assistance program overseen by local charity organizations in seven counties served by Duck River Electric – Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Marshall, Maury, and Moore. Project HELP is supported by generous donations from DREMC members and employees, and 100% of the funds are sent directly to the agencies that partner with DREMC to offer the program.

“Project HELP assistance is available year-round because financial hardships can occur at any time,” he said. “With this additional funding in these two communities, Project HELP funds can assist more families who are unable to pay their electric bills.”

Spence adds that during a time of rising inflation for virtually everything we purchase, many families and individuals might need financial assistance, many of them for the first time.

Project HELP is a valuable resource for those who need assistance with their DREMC bills. For more than three decades, the program has assisted thousands of qualifying DREMC members by paying part or all of their bills to help them stay current and avoid service disconnection.

“It is important to support the members we serve, especially during tough times and financial hardships,” says Spence. “This is why Project HELP exists.”

In 2023, DREMC’s Project HELP program assisted 577 families and individuals with more than $91,000 toward their electric bills.

To apply for energy bill assistance through Project HELP, call or visit the charity organization where you live. A list of partnering agencies offering Project HELP can be found here.

Charity organizations offering Project HELP assistance are mostly directed by volunteers. You are encouraged to call the organization’s office as hours of operation may vary.

If you would like to make a positive impact in your community, please join us in contributing to Project HELP. DREMC members can sign up to donate monthly using the form on our website or by checking the appropriate box at the bottom of the next electric bill.

Please contact any DREMC office with questions about Project HELP.

A $3,000 matching funds contribution was made to the Project HELP program in Moore County. In the photo are DREMC Senior Director of Shelbyville Operations Drew Lane and Member Service Representative Paige Gunn; Moore County Senior Citizens Director Loraine Stoklosa, who oversees the program locally; and DREMC President & CEO Scott Spence.

Matching funds of $10,000 were contributed to the Good Samaritan of Manchester whose volunteers oversee the Project HELP program in Coffee County. In the photo are DREMC Senior Director of Manchester Operations Ben McTier; Good Samaritan of Manchester Executive Director Fay Jones and President Pete Miller, who oversee the community’s Project HELP program; DREMC Office Manager Gaby West and President & CEO Scott Spence.