news release > entergy louisiana, blue cross and blue shield of foundation fueling the fight in northeast louisiana

entergy louisiana, blue cross and blue shield of foundation fueling the fight in northeast louisiana

04/21/2020

monroe, la. – entergy louisiana and the blue cross and blue shield of louisiana foundation provided a $100,000 donation to the united way of northeast louisiana to help those affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

entergy louisiana contributed $50,000 and will add another $10,000 in matching donations. blue cross and blue shield of louisiana foundation has also committed an additional $50,000. the contributions will go toward providing meals for frontline health care workers and assistance to nonprofit groups in need of food and resources for their organizations to continue serving the region.

the funds will also assist united way with helping asset limited, income constrained, employed, or alice, citizens who were heavily impacted by the pandemic.

“in these challenging times, each of us must do our part to support one another and help the community get back on its feet,” said phillip may, president and ceo of entergy louisiana. “while health care professionals and nonprofit organizations are giving everything they have to this effort, we wanted to make sure that someone is taking care of them as well. i’m so pleased we found a way to lend a hand when they need it most.” the united way of northeast louisiana will coordinate finding medical facilities in need while the northeast louisiana restaurant association will connect them with local restaurants to provide meals for health care workers.

“we are glad to be able to partner with entergy louisiana and the united way of northeast louisiana on this project to address important community needs,” said michael tipton, president of the blue cross and blue shield of louisiana foundation. “this approach will help put restaurants and restaurant workers back to work all while feeding those who are in need and who are doing lifesaving work in our community every day. we’d encourage other businesses and foundations to join us to ensure that this important work can continue as long as is needed.”

the funds raised will serve the dual purpose of helping provide those on the frontline of the covid-19 fight with well-deserved and needed meals, while keeping local restaurants and nonprofit organizations operable during the pandemic. the louisiana restaurant association is helping to coordinate restaurants and meal delivery while the louisiana mid-continent oil & gas association foundation is also committed to the effort, helping find additional donors from its members in the region to provide relief to the area’s nonprofit groups. placid refining has already committed $6,000 to the cause.

“i’m so excited our company has made the decision to help health care entities and nonprofits,” said jody montelaro, vice president of public affairs for entergy louisiana. “these are the people who are fighting every day on the frontlines to keep their regions safe. to see them receive the help they need to continue on that mission is a huge win for everybody involved.”

to date, entergy’s shareholders have committed more than $1.3 million to the covid-19 response, including $700,000 to the corporation’s covid-19 emergency relief fund, assisting local united way partners and other nonprofit agencies to provide aid to working families experiencing financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. more information on the relief fund and entergy’s response to covid-19 can be found at entergy.com/covid-19.

about entergy louisiana

entergy louisiana, llc provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater baton rouge area. it has operations in southern, central and northern louisiana.

about the blue cross foundation

the blue cross and blue shield of louisiana foundation works each day to improve the health and lives of louisianians by empowering everyday people to do extraordinary good. by building and funding coalitions of friends, families and neighbors, the foundation hopes to build a healthier louisiana, particularly for its children. the foundation is funded solely by blue cross and blue shield of louisiana, but is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. together, blue cross and the blue cross foundation invest $3.5 million each year into louisiana’s communities and nonprofits.

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