End Hunger Network (EHN) has been feeding the hungry in Houston, TX, for over 20 years through programs including food collection drives in local supermarkets, daily meal preparation and distribution, and the Food Rescue Program.  The Food Rescue Program collects viable, perishable food that would soon be thrown away by food industry businesses and delivers it to hunger relief agencies throughout the greater Houston area, or uses it in meal preparation in the EHN kitchens.  Each day, the Program collects and delivers the most difficult items for relief agencies to find, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy products.  In 2007, EHN rescued 7.1 million pounds of food through the Program. They also distributed more than 416,000 meals last year.

EHN has huge energy consumption needs, including powering a 4,000 square foot freezer and 3,500 square foot cooler.  But EHN receives no government funding, instead relying on grants and donations from the private sector to fund its programs. Consequently, controlling operating costs is a key part of the job for Elvin Keller, Director of Operations for EHN. 

“When I opened our electric bill and saw a $17,000 balance, I knew I had to do something,” says Keller, who turned to Tradition Energy for advice.  “The process was so simple.  All I had to do was give them our bills, and they came back to me with a proposal showing pricing options from multiple energy suppliers, along with their recommendation.”  After Tradition Energy helped negotiate a new contract and switched EHN to the new supplier, Keller’s next bill dropped to about $8,000. 

“We’ve seen around a 50% savings,” Keller reports.  “Months before the expiration date of our current contract approached, my Tradition Energy advisor called to inform me that market prices had dropped even further.  This allowed us to secure a new contract at an even better rate, saving us thousands more.  We’ve been totally satisfied with the service and savings, and look forward to a long relationship with Tradition Energy.”