Community

Atmos Energy collaborates with local school districts and education foundations to promote childhood literacy. We help provide the resources needed to help students read at grade level by third grade. Third grade marks the shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” which means deficient readers are at greater risk of falling behind.

Children in underserved school districts can be more vulnerable to falling behind in grade-level reading proficiency. To improve third-grade literacy scores, Atmos Energy partners with various nonprofit organizations dedicated to this cause.

“One of the many ways we continue Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities is by investing in early childhood literacy programs which can provide a lifetime of benefits that improve a child’s economic, social, and physical well-being.”

Kelly Biegler, Vice President of Public Affairs, Mid-Tex Division

In the spring of 2023, Atmos Energy donated to the Texas Health Resources Foundation in support of North Texas Healthy Communities (NTHC), beginning a yearlong collaboration to improve reading skills and literacy through free books, reading supplements, student resources, and teaching materials. The first two events of this partnership took place at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Dallas and Wimbish Elementary School in Arlington, where we partnered with Scholastic to give every student two free books. Atmos Energy employees also volunteered at these free book fairs, which continued throughout the 2023–2024 academic year at eight more schools across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, ultimately providing 10,000 free books to almost 6,000 children across five North Texas counties.

“Most of our students do not have the money to purchase books at a book fair, so Atmos Energy making a donation to benefit all students is a real game-changer. Putting free books in the hands of our students to bring home reinforces the importance of reading and what they learned during the school year, so they will be well prepared for the next school year.”

Sherqueena Jackson, Principal of Frederick Douglass Elementary

Atmos Energy donated 20 book vending machines to schools, libraries, and community organizations, including Villa del Rey Magnet School, the Sherman Public Library, Bertram Elementary School, the Garland Education Foundation, Prairieville Primary School, the Grapevine Public Library, and Boys & Girls Club of Chaffee County, among many others across the communities we serve. Rather than a soft drink, chips, or cookies, these vending machines are stocked with hundreds of books that students can take home after earning a token to make their selection. Book vending machines are an eye-catching, fun way to further enrich kids’ literacy experience and generate excitement about reading.

“Grapevine Public Library was honored to accept Atmos Energy’s generous donation of a book vending machine, which offers a unique reading incentive that puts more books into children’s hands and homes. We are proud to be part of a true community partnership that is an investment in children, literacy, and the future.”

Leigh Kapsos, Grapevine Public Library director 

Supporting Healthy Futures

In addition to education, Atmos Energy recognizes that easy access to well-being support and nutritious food are critical to a healthy future. This year, Atmos Energy stepped up to support Hunger Busters in Dallas when it was burglarized by thieves who stole the entire HVAC system and its copper pipes. Not only was this equipment taken from a vital community institution serving meals to 3,500 kids at 11 different elementary schools, but food worth $10,000 spoiled without proper refrigeration. The local community banded together with approximately $16,000 in donations to help Hunger Busters get back on its feet. Atmos Energy donated an additional $31,000 to fill the remaining gaps and enable Hunger Busters to fully restart operations more quickly.

“We are so thankful for the financial support from Atmos Energy and our whole community, without whom we would not have been able to resume serving the children who depend on us daily. Hunger Busters provides breakfast and lunch to children enrolled in summer programs at the City Recreation Centers and Dallas City of Learning, among others. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to resume meeting the needs of these kids even sooner than we hoped.”

Dr. Latame Phillips, CEO of Hunger Busters

For over two decades, Atmos Energy has partnered with the H.L. Neblett Community Center to support its childcare and after-school programs, which annually serve around 100 children in Owensboro, Ky. In fiscal 2023, Atmos Energy and the Daviess County Public Library held a rededication for the Center’s Addie Talbot Memorial Library, where we provided $13,000 for 250 new books and $25,000 for new furniture, paint, and carpeting. The Center also teaches kids fundamental life and literacy skills and enhances the lives of all ages by educating locals on fitness, nutrition, and building fellowship.

“Not only will the library serve our children for years to come, but this project will be a launching pad for other local organizations to partner with us. We are thankful for Atmos Energy and its commitment to improving the lives of children within our community.”

Keith Cottoner, Executive Director of the H.L. Neblett Community Center

In the Colorado communities of Greeley and Evans, the Success Foundation Serving District 6 endeavors to develop a strong and healthy community by becoming the foundation for advancing youth education. It was founded in 2010 and now serves 33 public and charter schools with more than 22,600 students in Greeley-Evans School District 6. Atmos Energy has contributed nearly $70,000 since 2015 to support annual fundraising events, nutrition services, and the installation of SmartLabs, engaging learning tools, at 22 elementary, middle, and K-8 schools. With SmartLabs, students are able to build a foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.

“Atmos Energy’s generosity helped provide emergency meals for students in need while our schools were closed. They have been a loyal partner of the Success Foundation, and we are grateful for the positive impact they continue to make on our students through their Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative.”

Julie Hill, Executive Director of the Success Foundation

One of our newest nonprofit partners, Children's Advocacy Center—Hope House, is at the forefront of the fight against child abuse in the Louisiana parishes of St. Tammany and Washington. In addition to the financial support we provided in fiscal 2023, Atmos Energy employees conducted a three-month teddy bear drive—part of Hope House’s “Bear It Together” program—to make sure every child that visits Hope House for services receives their very own comforting teddy bear to keep.

Atmos Energy shows respect and gratitude to firefighters, police officers, medical teams, veterans, teachers, and many other heroes by supporting their work in our communities. We partner with local first responders to offer natural gas safety training, promote home safety guidance to residents, and support victims of natural disasters. We provide meals to local medical teams and first responders working around the clock to care for patients. We also support educators with school supplies, classroom resources, and tools to improve early childhood literacy.

Supporting First Responders

At Atmos Energy, we believe first responders are integral to keeping our communities safe, and we pay tribute to their selflessness year-round.

Last year in Tennessee, Atmos Energy volunteers cooked for the community at the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro Fire Departments’ Fire Prevention Open House and barbequed at the Franklin Fire Department Open House and 9/11 Observance Ceremonies. Also, the Maryville team grilled steaks for more than 500 first responders, including the Blount County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, Maryville Police and Fire Departments, Alcoa Police and Fire Departments, and the Blount County 911 Center. Our Mid-Tex Division invested $250,000 during fiscal year 2023 to support heroes in 89 cities and towns with meals, lifesaving equipment, and fuel and water to fight wildfires.

In Louisiana, Atmos Energy won the People’s Choice Award and first place at the Galvez Hardware Black Pot Cook Off, with all proceeds benefitting the Galvez-Lake Fire Department. The Kentucky team also hosted First Responder Fish Frys across Paducah, Mayfield, and Union City, with more than 160 first responders served over three days.

Our support for heroes includes partnering with local first responders to offer natural gas safety training. In fiscal year 2023, we conducted 108 First Responder Natural Gas Workshops for 881 fire and rescue personnel. These training sessions include classroom discussion that covers the properties of natural gas to determine on-site actions needed during an emergency, as well as safety procedures identified to protect first responders and ways the departments can work in tandem with our employees.

At our facility in Bethel, Texas, dozens of Atmos Energy technicians and public affairs managers partnered with Anderson County Emergency Management, Palestine Regional EMS, Tennessee Colony Fire Rescue, and the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department in an emergency drill. This exercise allowed both the Atmos Energy team and local first responders to become familiar with each other’s processes during an incident and help realize our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services.

“Even though it’s a simulation, these drills are important because they give our team an understanding of Atmos Energy’s safety protocols during an emergency. Likewise, the Atmos Energy team learns how we operate, so everyone benefits from the experience.”

Christina Crockett, Anderson County (Texas) Emergency Management Coordinator

Helping our communities stay warm during the year is one of Atmos Energy’s highest priorities. Atmos Energy offers financial assistance to the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, and income-qualified families who need help paying their gas bills. Our Sharing the Warmth program is supported by donations from our customers and Atmos Energy, and it distributes funds to local nonprofit organizations that provide utility bill assistance.

This past year, Sharing the Warmth received customer contributions totaling $1 million, which were supplemented by Atmos Energy's contributions of $3.4 million. These generous contributions enabled us to partner with 121 nonprofit organizations in the eight states we serve, helping 26,517 eligible individuals pay their natural gas bills. These funds provide support to customers for utility bills, home weatherization upgrades, and repair and replacement of customer-owned natural gas appliances and piping.

We also partner with nonprofit agencies that participate in the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps millions of U.S. families pay for the energy they need to heat their homes, particularly during the winter months when utility bills are often at their highest.

“When older adults with limited income feel hopeless and run out of financial options, they come to us for help. It's extremely rewarding to be able to assist them immediately with their needs, thanks to Atmos Energy's generosity and care for our seniors.”

Julie Krawczyk, Director of the Elder Financial Safety Center at The Senior Source

Atmos Energy established a Conservation and Energy Efficiency Program in the Mid-Tex service area in 2008. In the past year, this program, referred to as Keeping the Warmth, helped 403 income-qualified and senior citizen households reduce their energy consumption and lower utility bills. Atmos Energy customers who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may apply for Keeping the Warmth assistance through one of our partner agencies to receive materials and installation services such as:

• Gas water heater blankets;
• Gas heater and water heater replacement;
• Attic, wall, and floor insulation;
• Caulking, weather-stripping, and duct sealing; and
• Wall outlet covers, aerators, and carbon monoxide detectors.

Energy Assistance Blitzes

To provide immediate and easy access to funding, Atmos Energy partners with local energy assistance agencies to host “blitzes.” These events take place on a designated day and in partnership with one of hundreds of organizations like The Salvation Army in Jackson, Miss., and Jefferson Community Action Programs (JeffCAP) in Jefferson, La., to distribute Sharing the Warmth funds on a first come, first served basis to customers who attend. No appointment is necessary, and qualified Atmos Energy customers can receive funding on the spot for past-due debt, deposits, and service charges. In 2023, through intentional outreach, education, and communication with its community action agencies, nonprofits, and customers, Atmos Energy helped approximately 62,000 households gain access to $29 million through LIHEAP, Sharing the Warmth, and other programs.

“We are so grateful to Atmos Energy for their generosity and honored to offer this assistance to our residents during times of economic hardship.”

Christi Langoni, Director of JeffCAP