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Winter gets greener and warmer - The Ottawa Food Bank in Partnership with Friends of the Earth Canada distributes energy saving kits to food bank clients - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Winter gets greener and warmer - The Ottawa Food Bank in Partnership with Friends of the Earth Canada distributes energy saving kits to food bank clients

Jan 29th, 2008 8:52 AM

Winter gets greener and warmer The Ottawa Food Bank distributes energy saving kits to food bank clients (Ottawa, January 29, 2008) This winter, The Ottawa Food Bank in partnership with Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) and the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), is offering food bank clients an opportunity to save on their winter heating bills. During the month of January, food bank clients in Ottawa will receive an Energy GreenBox™ that will help reduce energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of recipients’ homes. The kits include weather-stripping for windows, doors, electrical outlets and switch plates as well as a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb. In addition to supporting the Energy GreenBox program as a founding sponsor, Enbridge Gas Distribution is also providing eligible participants with an application to participate in the TAPS program which provides the installation of products such as programmable thermostats, pipewrap and low-flow showerheads. “We serve 40,000 clients each month, many of whom are forced to choose between feeding their kids or keeping them warm. Escalating energy costs due to the cold weather make it harder for families to budget for the heating or hydro bills, especially this winter,” said Peter Tilley, Executive Director, The Ottawa Food Bank. ”The Energy GreenBox program is an important and popular addition to our services. We are very pleased to be a partner.” Families living in poverty may consume more energy for home heating because of poor housing conditions and as a result can often not afford the upgrade costs associated with improved energy efficiency. Consequently, energy costs represent a disproportionate share of household spending for low-income families and a tremendous burden for Ontarians served by food banks. Low-income households in Ontario spend six times the proportion of their household income on electricity alone when compared to the highest income earners. Hydro Ottawa donated more than 4,000 CFL lights bulbs to the Energy GreenBoxes. “Helping low-income families to reduce their energy costs is an important part of our conservation efforts. We’re proud to participate in the GreenBox program to help bring energy bills down in households where it will make the biggest difference,” said Rosemarie Leclair, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hydro Ottawa Group of Companies. “Replacing an incandescent bulb with an energy efficient CFL translates into a savings of $30 over the life of the bulb.” Qualified Enbridge Gas Distribution customers will receive items that can provide substantial energy conservation in their homes at no cost. “As a leader in energy efficiency programs, Enbridge Gas Distribution is a proud founding sponsor of the Energy GreenBox program,” said Cheryl Bezanson of Enbridge Gas Distribution. “We are sensitive to the needs of our low income customers and are pleased to help them reduce their ongoing energy costs this winter and beyond.” “Reducing energy use is one way we can all tackle climate change. We are pleased to team up with the Ontario Association of Food Banks and The Ottawa Food Bank to offer the Energy GreenBox, which will help those families trying to make ends meet, by getting the tools to save money and energy into their hands and helping them do their part to fight climate change," said Beatrice Olivastri, CEO of Friends of the Earth Canada. For more information on the Energy GreenBox, please contact: Peter Tilley, Executive Director, The Ottawa Food Bank at 613 745-7001 or Cell 613-913-4633 Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth, 613 241-0085 extn26 or Cell 613-724-8690 Debbie Boukydis, Enbridge Gas Distribution at 416-495-5682 Susan Barrett, Manager, Communications & Public Affairs, Hydro Ottawa Limited at 613-221-0063 -30- The Ottawa Food Bank is the National Capital Region’s central emergency food assistance organization. Through its 127 Member Agencies, The Ottawa Food Bank helps 40,000 individuals per month, 40 per cent of whom are children. Visit www.theottawafoodbank.ca for more information. The Ottawa Food Bank is also a member of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), which is a network of over 100 food banks across the province from Ottawa to Windsor, and Niagara Falls to Thunder Bay. 320,000 Ontarians are served by food banks every month. Visit www.oafb.ca for more information. Friends of the Earth Canada is a voice for the environment, working nationally and internationally to inspire the renewal of communities and the earth through research, education and advocacy. It is a member of the 70 country strong FOE International. Visit www.foecanada.org.