PSO and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma are working to get tens of thousands of LED bulbs to needy families.
The light bulbs will be distributed through more than 130 food banks through the Shine A Light project. PSO Consumer Programs Manager Jeff Brown said since 2014, the partnership has given away more than half a million bulbs.
"The energy savings is about 16 million kilowatt hours, and if you put that in layman’s terms, that’s the equivalent of an annual usage of 1,200 homes," Brown said.
"They’re too modest to say something, but I think the total dollar amount of the light bulbs they’ve donated since this program started is close to $1 million. So, those light bulbs add up. That’s a real impact on the communities we serve," said food bank President Tom Hutchison.
Hutchison said for their clients, even saving a few dollars by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can make a difference.
"You know, every little bit helps. Most of the folks we serve are working poor. They’re struggling to make rent. They’ve got to hit their fundamental costs, including food. And so, helping with light bulbs, anything like that really helps them," Hutchison said.
Around three in four food bank clients say they’ve had to choose between paying bills and buying food.
PSO works the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma in McAlester and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City to distribute bulbs in their service area outside of Green Country.
