Gas district launches customer-assistance fund

Lake Apopka Natural Gas District has partnered with Heart of Florida United Way to launch the utility’s first-ever customer assistance program: LANGD’s Helping Hand. The district’s board of directors unanimously voted to kickstart the program with a $5,000 donation.

“Customer service at LANGD extends far beyond providing natural gas to our customers’ homes and businesses,” said Samuel Davis Jr., district general manager and CEO. “This last year has taught us that we should always be prepared for the unexpected, and we want our customers to know that we are here for them if they find themselves struggling financially and in need of extra support.”

The idea for LANGD’S Helping Hand fund was born during the COVID-19 pandemic after the district saw an uptick in residential customers who were struggling financially from COVID-related furloughs and layoffs.

As a result, a small group of employees led by LANGD’s executive assistant, Deborah Johnson, set out to find the best way to collect and distribute funds to customers in need. This led to the committee joining forces with HFUW to launch a formal partnership where HFUW will assist LANGD with the collection, tracking and distribution of funds.

“Although we’ve never had an official program to support customers financially, our employees have never wavered when there was an opportunity to volunteer their time, money or donate goods to help a customer in need,” said Johnson. “Leading this initiative has been such an honor, and I truly believe this fund is an embodiment of our long-standing commitment to our customers during both the good and bad times.”

The public utility welcomes the community to donate to the fund and help support customers who meet a specific criterion for financial assistance.

To report a hardship, call (407) 656-2734. To donate to the fund, call (407) 656-0200.