RICHARDSON, Texas – December 22, 2008 - Two local food banks will benefit from a more than $1 million donation announced today by the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, one of the nation’s largest energy producers and parent company of Richardson-based Cirro Energy. The NETWORK of Community Ministries, Inc. and North Texas Food Bank of Dallas will each receive $10,000.

North Texas Food Bank has programs that benefit over 917 feeding and education programs in 13 North Texas counties, including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, after-school programs, senior citizen centers and other social service centers. NETWORK of Community Ministries, which is also based in Richardson, is a coalition of religious, civic and social organizations that provides health and emergency services to children, low-income families, and senior citizens in need within the area, including food from its pantry that is supplied in part by the North Texas Food Bank.

“Since it was founded, Cirro Energy has supported the community with programs such as Forever Funds, which benefits local charities, religious organizations and schools,” stated Michael Rose, managing director of Cirro Energy. “Dominion’s recent purchase of Cirro Energy plugged us into tremendous resources that we’ve leveraged to benefit consumers and the community. As part of Dominion’s $1 million donation to food banks across the country, Cirro will help fund 100,000 meals in our community.”

Cirro Energy is a Texas retail electric provider that supplies about 2.3 million megawatt hours of competitively priced electricity annually to more than 50,000 residential and commercial customers in Texas.

“We’re deeply honored by Cirro Energy’s generous gift,” stated Britni Cannon, development director for NETWORK of Community Ministries. “We look forward to working together with Cirro Energy to make our community stronger by extending a much needed helping hand to others. This gift gives us a surge of energy to maintain our dedication to transform lives.”

This year, Dominion, its charitable foundation and its employees will invest more than $20 million and 100,000 volunteer hours in programs that help make life brighter for people in the states where Dominion operates power stations, natural gas and other energy facilities.

Grant focus areas included preservation of natural and historic resources, workforce development and education, diversity initiatives, neighborhood and community development, and meeting basic needs for food, shelter and clothing.

“Dominion wants to help our neighbors who are encountering hardships during the current economic downturn,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion. “This contribution will help put food on the table for families in 14 states during the holiday season.”

The contribution from the Dominion Foundation will provide 21.4 million pounds of food and grocery products, according to Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity.

“The North Texas Food Bank is confronting a budget shortfall and increase in demand for meals,” added Rose. “We hope our grant will both feed families and inspire others to support this important cause. In addition to cash donations, people can drop off canned food items at any local fire station or at North Park mall.”

Information about the North Texas Food Bank can be found at www.ntfb.org and for the NETWORK of Community Ministries at www.thenetwork.org.

About Cirro Energy 
Cirro Energy brings a smarter approach to retail electricity service. A subsidiary of Dominion, one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, Cirro Energy delivers superior customer service and savings to residential and business customers in Texas. From competitively priced plans for electricity to Smart Shop energy efficiency products, Cirro Energy empowers consumers to make smart choices that save them money. For more information on Cirro Energy, visit www.cirroenergy.com; media can contact Scott Black of TPRM at (214) 520-3430 ext. 303. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.

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