The Greensboro Urban Ministry has received just over $1.2 million dollars from the Foundation of the Carolinas. They’ll use that money to help more than 2,400 people in Guilford County pay their electric bills.

Christine Byrd is director of community engagement for the organization.  She says the Urban Ministry has seen an increase in energy assistance applications over the past two years. And she expects the need to continue to grow.

“The folks we are seeing for assistance are no longer our typical clients. Typically, we would expect to see families who maybe are on unemployment or in a lower income bracket. We are starting to see a lot of middle class families who are now are on unemployment. They have recently lost their jobs or are having problems finding new jobs,” said Byrd.

The unemployment rate in the Greensboro-High Point metro area was 10 percent in August, The national average is around 7.8 percent.

Duke Energy Carolinas has distributed $11 million to more than 50 assistance agencies across its North Carolina service territory. The money is part of an agreement with the N.C. Utilities Commission in January that allowed a Duke Energy rate increase.

The funds are contributions from shareholders. They are designed to assist low-income residents in North Carolina with energy-related costs. Byrd says the money will help maintain families and keep them in their homes.

“If someone comes in with a crisis with their energy, chances are they are in crisis in other ways as well. This money allows us to help them with their energy bill, which maybe will free up some of their funds to pay their mortgage and it frees up our funds as well to help them with mortgage assistance, water and other utility assistance,” said Byrd.