As part of its ongoing commitment to communities, Dominion Energy recently jump-started the new year with more than $1 million in grants to help feed, shelter and care for people in need across the company’s footprint.

Donations will be shared by 161 nonprofit organizations providing critical community services in 11 states.

“While many of us look forward to a new year, we recognize that many people in our communities struggle to afford the basics needed for a secure, healthy and productive life,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “These grants will help fill critical needs for nutritious food, safe shelter and the medical care essential for a better future.”

This is the third year that the company has given more than $1 million in grants through its charitable arm, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Local organizations including the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and ForKids are some of the grant recipients.

The Western Tidewater Free Clinic earned a $10,000 grant to purchase lifesaving medical care supplies for people who cannot afford them. The clinic provides comprehensive medical services for underserved populations in Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties.

“We’re delighted to have the support of Dominion Energy over the years,” said Chet Hart, the Western Tidewater Free Clinic’s executive director. “We always have a critical need for additional equipment. Without it, we could not save the lives that we do.”

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia will also receive $10,000 from Dominion Energy.

“Senior Services is grateful to the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation for sharing in part of our vision of empowering seniors through this Critical Community Needs grant,” said Steve Zollos, chief operating officer of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. “This funding will help us educate more local seniors about their Medicare options through our MedCare Access benefits counseling program.”

The agency’s MedCare Access benefits counseling program serves those in Senior Services’ Western Tidewater service area, which includes Suffolk, Franklin, Smithfield and Isle of Wight and Southampton counties in Virginia. Through this program, Medicare benefits counselors assist Medicare-eligible individuals navigating the enrollment process for Medicare and Medicare Part D. Assistance is also given to those who are currently enrolled and may be eligible for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy “Extra Help” benefit. There is no charge for this service.

Examples of other grant recipients include:

• ForKids Inc. for expanding educational services and supporting homeless children and families in the Hampton Roads region.
• Meals on Wheels of Chesapeake for delivering meals and helping keep seniors healthy, safe and independently living in their own homes.
• Mobile Hope Association of Loudoun for providing homeless youth with emergency housing, basic needs, financial assistance for schooling and life skills training.
• Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton in Richmond for serving neighborhood children and families with its garden, kitchen and food pantry.
• Green Urban Lunch Box of Salt Lake City, Utah, for its Back-Farms project connecting low-income, elderly homeowners with garden apprentices who help them convert surplus backyard space into productive urban farms.
• Operation Warm Inc. for providing brand-new winter coats to West Virginia schoolchildren in need.
• St. Clair Superior Development Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, for its efforts to reduce lead poisoning by educating residents on safe removal of toxic paint from their homes.