NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund today announced $700,000 in grants to 39 nonprofits helping victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike rebuild their lives and communities after the devastating storms.

Louisiana groups received 20 grants totaling $430,000 and 19 Texas agencies were awarded $270,000 from the fund. The fund was created by Entergy Corporation and the Foundation for the Mid South in the days after the storms hit Entergy's service territory less than two weeks apart in September.

The storms knocked out power to more than 1.6 million Entergy customers. Winds and flooding damaged thousands of homes and businesses in communities from south Louisiana to the upper Texas coast.

"We targeted funding groups that will have an impact on the long-term economic health and viability of the communities hit hardest by the storms," said Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility.

"Too many of our customers and neighbors are still struggling to recover from Ike," said Joe Domino, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Texas, Inc. "We hope these grants will help as they rebuild their homes and their lives."

Renae Conley, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Utilities Louisiana, L.L.C., said, "After two such devastating storms, one of our goals was to work with our community partners to reach out to our customers who needed the most help getting back on their feet.

"The agencies receiving these grants are doing tremendous work, and we're humbled by their determination to help those in need," she said.

The agencies receiving the grants were selected by a committee chosen by the Foundation for the Mid South. The agencies range from Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson County, Texas, to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and approximately 14,300 employees.

Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy’s corporate social responsibility initiatives help create and sustain thriving communities, position the company for sustainable growth and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our top CSR priorities are education/workforce development, poverty solutions/social services and environmental programs. Entergy annually contributes $16-$18 million in shareholder-funded grants to approximately 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the communities where we operate. In addition, our employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours in those communities' values at more than $3 million.

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