Former Congressman and President of Citizens Energy, Joe Kennedy III, visits Serving Seniors to announce donations of EVs funded through SDG&E transmission project
Citizens Energy Corporation, a nonprofit organization was joined by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E®) to announce the donation of electric vehicles to Chicano Federation, Serving Seniors and Healthy Day Partners. The grants awarded to purchase these vehicles are funded from Citizens Energy Corporation’s profits from its investment in high-voltage transmission lines through a partnership with SDG&E.
“Strengthening communities is at the heart of everything we do at Citizens Energy Corporation,” said Joe Kennedy III, President of Citizens Energy. “Our work in California with San Diego Gas & Electric reflects what’s possible when infrastructure investments are paired with purpose—building a more reliable grid while directing resources back into the communities that make this work possible and supporting those who need it most.”
At Serving Seniors’ Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center in Downtown San Diego, Citizens and SDG&E joined the three grantee organizations to celebrate their work and Citizens’ funding of six new electric vans, which will help the organizations fulfill their missions.
"Serving Seniors is grateful for the support of our vital meal delivery service through the Citizens Energy EV Grant Program,” said Melinda Forstey, President & CEO, Serving Seniors. “Providing healthy, nutritious meals as well as regular check-ins by our staff helps keep older adults in San Diego healthy and thriving, while shifting to EV vehicles keeps our environment healthy and thriving into the future."
“We are deeply grateful to Citizens Energy for this electric van and to SDG&E for nominating Healthy Day Partners. This collaborative, values-aligned support expands our reach and powers programs like our Straight 2 the Plate® Mobile Garden Classroom and the Healthy Communities Fruit Tree Program, teaching over 38,000 food-insecure children, seniors, and families to grow their own food, rely less on handouts, and build lasting food sovereignty throughout San Diego County—all while reducing our own environmental footprint.”
After the announcement, Kennedy, Crider, Citizens CEO Pete Smith and members of the SDG&E team served lunch at the Wellness Center as part of the Serving Seniors program.