PUD helps senior center purchase new refrigerator

July 13, 2006

The St. Helens Senior Center has a new, ENERGY STAR® qualified commercial refrigerator, thanks to the generous donations of Columbia River PUD, Community Action Team, Victor and Kathryn Fox, Mabel Pennell and many other organizations, churches and individuals.

The St. Helens Senior Center has the busiest kitchen in the county, serving nearly 2,800 meals a month to local seniors through its Meals on Wheels and walk-in lunch programs. The center’s existing refrigerator was very old and was broken beyond repair, according to two appliance repairmen.

The PUD provided a $1,000 Community Involvement Grant to assist with the purchase price of the new refrigerator. PUD Commercial Services Advisor Tim Lammers also worked with the senior center to find an ENERGY STAR qualified model that would meet their needs. The center’s new Continental three- door refrigerator qualified for a $450 energy efficiency rebate and will use less energy to operate than the older, smaller two-door model it replaces.

Photo of new refrigerator at St. Helens Senior Center

Pictured in front of the new refrigerator, clockwise from left: St. Helens Senior Center Cook Jane Jack, Assistent Cook June Dodson, Meals on Wheels Coordinator Nora Gunn, former Meals on Wheels Treasurer Juanita Shearer, PUD General Manager Kevin Owens, Donor Mabel Pennell and Senior Nutrition Assistance Pilot Program Manager Dana Jester

###

For more information, contact Libby Calnon, PUD Communication Specialist, at lca@crpud.org or (503) 366-3264.

Columbia River People's Utility District provides electric service to 17,500 customers in Columbia and Multnomah Counties in Oregon.

The PUD employs 48 people and had FY2005 gross revenues of $27 million.