General

Connecting with customers in need

As a public power utility, Omaha Public Power District is invested in helping our customers and communities to thrive

A recent Community Resource Fair, a pilot event held last month at Salem Baptist Church, brought 15 nonprofits and OPPD customer care representatives together to help address needs in the community.

The participating groups provided various types of assistance, including employment resources, physical and mental health resources, family support, financial assistance, and more.

OPPD provided customers with bill payment options and assistance, along with guidance on saving energy and weatherizing homes, which can help lower bills.

More than 300 customers from 120 households that OPPD serves received various sources of help during the event. During the fair, OPPD:

• Provided nearly $30,000 in energy assistance to 82 customers.
• Enrolled 39 customers in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Pilot Program.
• Assisted 15 customers who were not eligible for assistance by enrolling them in the Payment Installment Program at OPPD. The program can help them catch up on their bill in a more manageable way.
• Arranged to work with other customers on providing the documentation required to apply for energy assistance.

Customers who attended the fair provided feedback, both in conversation and in a post-event survey. They indicated that the fair provided helpful information on navigating bill payment challenges, saving energy and weatherizing their home.

“I am thankful for OPPD to bring this to our neighborhood,” one customer said. “No other company is doing this, and I appreciate the hard work, time and dedication OPPD puts into the community.”

‘We can help’

The fair was modeled after a similar effort by CPS Energy in San Antonio, Texas. The Texas utility hosts frequent fairs with nonprofits to ensure customers know where to go when they are in need.

“We provide such a critical service in the community,” said Britton Gabel, manager of Advocacy Solutions in Product Development and Marketing. “It’s important to our customers and the community to know that we can help when they are facing challenges. Our goal is to make sure customers understand and take advantage of all the options we provide.”

OPPD will hold a second community resource fair in October at the Kroc Center in South Omaha. Afterward, the team will evaluate whether to host the events more broadly and frequently.

“This event is such a great collaboration between Public Affairs, Customer Service and our community partners to address the unique needs of the communities we serve,” said Laurie Zagurski, manager of Outreach and Education. “We’re looking forward to our event in south Omaha and to learning more and continuing to connect and collaborate.”

Other agencies providing information and assistance at the fair include: American Red Cross, Blair Freeman, Charles Drew Health Center, City of Omaha, Department of Health and Human Services, Douglas County General Assistance, Family Housing Advisory Services, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Heart Ministry Center, Julian Young, Metropolitan Utilities District, Omaha Bridges, Project Houseworks, Salem Baptist and United Way 2-1-1.