By: Lori Cork

Alabama Power and the rural electric cooperatives recently formed a new partnership with The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham will administer the only registered Project SHARE (Service to Help Alabamians with Relief on Energy) in the state of Alabama. Previously, this program was administered by the Alabama Region of the American Red Cross.

Project SHARE is funded primarily by contributions from the customers of Alabama Power Company. Customers simply pledge to donate $1, $2, $5, $10 or any other whole-dollar amount to Project SHARE by checking the box on their monthly utility bill. This amount is automatically added to each monthly bill, and all such donations will be forwarded to The Salvation Army. Project SHARE will continue to provide emergency energy assistance to elderly and disabled Alabamians in peak winter and summer months. The program assists Alabamians in 59 counties statewide.

"The Salvation Army is honored to partner with Alabama Power and Project SHARE to meet the needs of so many across the state of Alabama," said Major Bob Parker, area commander of the Greater Birmingham Area Command. "Project SHARE has touched the lives of those in need across our state for years. We look forward to administering this program in Birmingham and being a part of that meaningful service to our fellow Alabamians for many years to come."

Alabama Power will soon launch a campaign to encourage customers and employees to renew their support of SHARE. Historically, Alabama Power gave customers the option to sign up for Project SHARE through their power bill three times a year. Starting in 2017, they will add the Project SHARE check-off option on power bills all year round.  In 2015, 7,350 families, consisting of 11,475 people, benefited from Project SHARE, receiving $1,303,713.28 in utility assistance. Since it was established 34 years ago, the program has provided $38,403,713.28 in assistance to 385,834 families.