National Grid will contribute $500,000 to Western New York families recovering from the historic blizzard in late December, the company announced Thursday.

The company is waiving late fees for bills with due dates between Dec. 23, 2022, and Feb. 20, 2023, and says they will sponsor a Jan. 26 event that will connect Buffalo-area customers with billing options and affordability programs. 

"Our crews were on the ground before, during, and well after the storm to deliver for our customers," said Rudy Wynter, National Grid’s New York president. "We recognized during the restoration process that recovering from the blizzard would be as much of a humanitarian effort as it would be about resolving power outages. We said at that time that we would be here long after the lights were back on to support our customers, and this is one way we are fulfilling that promise."

The funding, provided by the company’s shareholders, will go to regional charitable organizations that offer programs to directly benefit those impacted, including FeedMore WNY, Back to Basics Ministries, United Way of Buffalo and the Erie County and Western NY Chapter of the American Red Cross. Funding will also help establish programs to support community resilience during future emergencies.