Duke Energy Florida distributed about 400 “Shelter in Place Kits” to seniors at the Enoch Davis Center and the Sunshine Center in St. Petersburg as part of its ongoing efforts to support local residents during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The company also provided pet preparedness bags, which included travel food bowls, slip leashes, and waste bags.
The kits given to seniors aged 60 and older contained items such as a large rolling cooler, collapsible water container, shelf-stable food, cleaning and hygiene products, and other supplies intended for use if sheltering in place becomes necessary.
“Duke Energy Florida has deep roots in St. Pete, including thousands of current employees and retirees who call this city home,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “After last year’s devastating storms, it’s extremely important to me, as it is to everyone in our company, that our residents are prepared for whatever may come our way in the months ahead. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support so many seniors and appreciate the collaboration with the city of St. Petersburg and the Florida Council on Aging.”
Erin McLeod, president of the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA), highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships for supporting older adults: “Working with corporate partners like Duke Energy Florida has such an impact on older adults across the state. FCOA is proud to serve as a conduit between the agencies that touch thousands of older adults’ lives and the businesses that have a strong desire to make a difference.”
In addition to distributing supplies, Duke Energy Florida’s customer care team was present at the Sunshine Center to provide information about energy efficiency programs and financial assistance resources. Seniors were directed to visit duke-energy.com/HereToHelp for more details.
For those seeking guidance on storm preparedness or emergency planning resources from organizations like Red Cross, further information can be found at duke-energy.com/StormTips.
Duke Energy Florida operates within a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida and supplies electricity to two million customers. The parent company serves millions more across several states through both electric and natural gas utilities (https://www.duke-energy.com).
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