Kansas City Power & Light is making life a little brighter for thousands of needy households in the area. The utility on Friday donated 18,576 compact fluorescent light bulbs to the Second Harvest Community Food Bank. Volunteers packed 984 special bags with the light bulbs for members of Second Harvest’s Fresh Start food pantry. Officials say about 2,322 households serviced by Second Harvest and its partner agencies.
Families already being served by the participating pantries will receive two four-packs of CFLs when they visit the agencies during the organizations’ regular distribution schedules and adhering to already established intake processes.
“This is a great opportunity for us to partner with KCP&L to help get these light bulbs to families in need and we are very thankful for their contribution,” said Chad Higdon, Second Harvest Community Food Bank’s Executive Director. “Especially around the holidays we see families struggling, and this distribution effort will not only help offset the cost of light bulbs these individuals would have to purchase, but the families will see savings in their monthly utility bills as well.”
CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and over the course of the bulbs lifetime can save a household an average of $40. This partnership between Second Harvest and KCP&L will provide these savings to low-income customers free of charge. KCP&L is also working with Harvesters in Kansas City and Ozarks in Springfield to provide these savings to customers in other parts of the region.
This partnership between Second Harvest and KCP&L will provide these savings to low-income customers free of charge.
“We are excited to be partnering with Second Harvest to get these energy-saving light bulbs in the hands and homes of our customers who need them most,” said Brian File, KCP&L Senior Manager of Products & Services. “These bulbs will provide our customers with the opportunity to not only save energy but ultimately save money.”