April 13, 2022

Throughout greater Williamson County, Atmos Energy has partnered with GraceWorks Ministries to provide energy assistance to Tennessee families in need. Focused on neighbors serving neighbors, GraceWorks is a faith-based, grace driven, collaborative ministry dedicated to being a community resource by helping distressed individuals and families with food, rent, utilities, and other needs. 

Atmos Energy believes in Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities through programs that help eligible customers stay warm with financial assistance to pay their natural gas bill and upgrade their homes. These efforts include Atmos Energy’s Sharing the Warmth program, which leverages the generosity of customer donations with additional contributions by Atmos Energy to amplify the amount of assistance offered. Atmos Energy then partners with local agencies like GraceWorks to offer program funds to eligible customers.    

“Tara, a single mother in Tennessee, was struggling to pay not only her natural gas bill but was falling behind on payments of all her bills,” said Clayton Childs, energy assistance specialist at Atmos Energy.  “After learning about an energy assistance blitz nearby, she reached out to GraceWorks and was able to get the help and support she needed.”  

To better provide immediate and easy access to funding, Atmos Energy partners with local energy assistance agencies to host blitzes. These events take place on a designated day and in partnership with organizations like GraceWorks to distribute Sharing the Warmth funds on a first come, first served basis to customers who attend.  No appointment is necessary and verified Atmos Energy customers can receive funding on the spot for past-due debt, deposits, and service charges.   

“At the blitz, Tara tearfully confessed her financial struggles and the additional stress of her salary being decreased due to constraints on her employer during the pandemic,” added Childs.  “Through Sharing the Warmth and in partnership with Graceworks, funding was provided on the spot for her natural gas bill. As part of their commitment to supporting all their clients’ needs, GraceWorks offered Tara additional counseling through their Momentum program.”  

Momentum helps families who are at risk of homelessness with family coaching, community resources, financial counseling, and job training.   

“Tara was extremely thankful for all the assistance she received at the blitz event and voiced that she now feels empowered with the confidence to advocate for herself and her daughter,” said Laurie Siebel, GraceWorks family coach.  “It is our joy to help our neighbors and their families. Our partnership with Atmos Energy gave us the opportunity to provide Tara immediate help and surround her with a variety of community resources to help her reach the goals she set for herself and her family.”  

If you need help with unforeseen expenses, please contact our customer service team at 888.286.6700 or visit atmosenergy.com/energyassistance to learn more about energy assistance funding that may be available to you.   

To learn more about GraceWorks Ministries, Inc., please visit graceworksministries.net