No one should have to choose between food or medicine and electricity. Sadly, there are many elderly, disabled, and other individuals who are simply finding themselves in a financial crisis and facing these choices every day.

 That is why Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) developed the FPL Care To Share program in 1994. The program has raised more than $15.7 million, and it has provided energy assistance to almost 68,000 Florida families in need.

FPL customer Ana Cisneros found herself in a financial crisis when the economy was slowing. Her business’ revenue wasn’t enough to pay for all of her bills. Recently divorced, she also needed to rethink how she could provide for her and her daughter and herself on just one income.

Fortunately, there was help. Not knowing what to do, Ana found herself at the Palm Beach County Human Services office in Riviera Beach, Fla. – one of more than 800 governmental, social service and faith-based agencies throughout Florida that administer FPL Care To Share funds.

Kate Cole, case worker at Palm Beach County Human Services said, “People are at their lowest and they feel so ashamed when they come in. And our job is to help them to see that we’re a team: the family or individual, the case worker and FPL.” She adds, “I think it’s important for people to know that the money they donate makes a tremendous impact on this community with people that are working hard and struggling.”

Ana was able to qualify for financial assistance through FPL’s Care To Share program, keep her lights on and her business going. “Now I am able to put one foot in front of the other and have a better tomorrow to look forward to,” she explains. “Sometimes that little bit of help makes a big difference.”

One hundred percent of contributions raised from FPL customers, shareholders and employees go to help those in need – no contributions are used for fundraising or administrative purposes. More than 1,700 employees of FPL and its parent company, NextEra Energy, Inc. currently donate to the program. FPL employee and FPL Care To Share donor Vicki Backus explains, “I know that when I donate to Care To Share, my funds are going to help someone and are being spent wisely.”

Visit www.FPL.com/caretoshare to hear Ana’s story, make a contribution and help make a difference. FPL customers can also donate by checking the Care To Share box on their bill.