GivingTuesday is all about giving back to the community. This week, Duke Energy has awarded $425,000 to more than a dozen Florida organizations that provide food assistance and other community resources to help seniors and families throughout the state.

The funding, provided by the Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida, helped wrap up the holiday giving campaigns of many organizations, with many including matching donations by private donors, thus creating an even greater impact for customers and communities.

"Every bit of support to local and statewide food banks and community resources is helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday season," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We are proud to support these incredible organizations and the great work they do throughout the year to keep Floridians and their families fed, healthy and secure."

Funding Throughout Florida

This year's holiday donations are in addition to $100,000 donated previously to Feeding Florida, a statewide organization dedicated to providing healthy, nutritious meals through its network of food banks.

"We are grateful for Duke Energy's investment in our capacity building, as well as the extra steps they've taken to provide healthy food for those who need it most," said Robin Safley, Feeding Florida executive director. "The refrigeration Duke Energy funded allowed more than 45 local food pantries to store and distribute more nutritious food than ever before, and this most recent gift will fill those coolers with fresh Florida produce. This effort will provide positive health impacts for years to come."

The funding also allowed the Florida Council on Aging to distribute free holiday gift cards for seniors through various organizations throughout the state.

"The Florida Council on Aging is happy to have a relationship with Duke Energy and its Foundation because they truly share our commitment in giving back to the community," said Jeff Johnson, FCOA president. "In December, 1,750 seniors in 11 different counties received gift cards to be used at a retail establishment through the generosity of Duke Energy and its Foundation.

Some of the organizations that received funding include:

• Feeding Florida

• Florida Council on Aging, to be distributed through the following organizations:

  • Seniors First, Orange County

  • Neighborly Care Network, Pinellas County

  • Council on Aging of Volusia County

  • NU-HOPE Elder Care Services

  • CARES, Pasco County

  • Citrus County Support Services

  • Marion Senior Services

• 211 Tampa Bay Cares

• St. Pete Free Clinic

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

• Hope Partnership in Central Florida

• Community Food Bank in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties

• Heartland Food Bank, Highlands County

• Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida