SE Texas Times

Sempra Energy announced that the Sempra Energy Foundation will donate up to $500,000 to support small-medium sized nonprofit and charities in Texas during COVID-19. These funds will specifically go to Texas charities that are supporting the most vulnerable and providing critical aid to those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Jefferson County, more than $200,000 will be donated to the Southeast Texas Food Bank, the Sabine Pass Education Fund, the Southeast Texas Emergency Relief Fund the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation and others.

"Many nonprofit organizations are faced with unprecedented demand for their services due to the current COVID-19 situation," Dennis V. Arriola, board chair of the Sempra Energy Foundation and executive vice president and group president of Sempra Energy, said in press release. "These grants will help them to continue serving the needs of vulnerable populations who need their support now more than ever."

The Sempra Energy Foundation has started the Nonprofit Hardship Fund to provide aid. The $500,000 going to Texas is part of a bigger plan to give $1.75 million in grants across the nation. Grants up to $50,000 will be available to nonprofit organizations in states such as California, Texas and Louisiana where the company operates.

As of the end of March, the Nonprofit Hardship Fund had already received more than 1,500 applications and donated more than $700,000.

The funds can be used for anything related to surviving the coronavirus. This could mean support for food banks, delivering meals to home-bound seniors, purchasing supplies, or just generally covering the added expenses and lack of revenue caused by the pandemic.

With more than $65 billion in total assets, San Diego-based Sempra Energy aims at being the premier energy infrastructure company in North America. The Sempra Energy Foundation was designed to invest-in and serve local communities. Over $100 million has been donated by the foundation over the last five years.

In Jefferson County, Sempra Energy and its subsidiary Sempra LNG, are responsible for developing the multi-billion-dollar Port Arthur LNG infrastructure investment project.

Parties interested in the Nonprofit Hardship Fund can go to the Sempra Energy Foundation website to get more information and apply for a grant.