NewsLocal News

Actions

BGE donating to local nonprofits for coronavirus response and relief

Posted at 12:03 PM, Mar 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-18 12:05:47-04

BALTIMORE — BGE is joining with Exelon and Constellation to donate $175,000 to Maryland relief organizations including the United Way of Central Maryland, the Maryland Food Bank, and the Baltimore Community Foundation to support their efforts to provide essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is part of a more than $1.15 million donation by Exelon Corporation and its family of companies nationwide to relief organizations to support communities impacted by the spread of the coronavirus.

“BGE is committed to helping our community during this challenging time,” said Carim Khouzami, BGE CEO. “These donations and our continued partnerships with the United Way, the Maryland Food Bank, and the Baltimore Community Foundation are essential in efforts to help our customers address their needs during the COVID-19 health crisis. Getting through this requires everyone to lean in and do their part to lift up our community and help protect its most vulnerable members. We are grateful to support such worthwhile relief organizations making a difference in central Maryland’s pandemic response.”

Nonprofits are experiencing a disruption in fundraising and decreased volunteer support due to the recently announced safety protocols, and it is critical that these organizations, serving the most vulnerable populations, have the resources needed to continue operating at the highest levels.

The donation to the United Way of Central Maryland’s COVID-19 Community Fund will support the United Way of Central Maryland 211 Call Center [uwcm.org]. The 211 Call Center has seen volume more than quadruple since Monday with over 1,500 calls requesting information about food, COVID-19, and counseling and calming.

BGE’s donation to the Maryland Food Bank [mdfoodbank.org] will provide necessary additional funds to help purchase and safely distribute nutritious food to hungry Marylanders while our community continues to deal with COVID-19.

The donation to the Baltimore Community Foundation's COVID-19 Evolving Community Needs Fund will aid in rapid response actions during the public health emergency our region is currently facing.

100 percent of these funds will go directly to address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our region’s communities, workforce, and vulnerable populations.

To assist families and businesses experiencing financial stress during this public health crisis, BGE and all Exelon utilities -- Atlantic City Electric, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO, and Pepco -- have suspended service disconnections and are waiving new late payment charges until at least May 1.