b'COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIESFueling Safe and Thriving Communities IsFueling Hope for Our Neighbors in NeedWoven into Our Culture Our average residential bill is one of the most affordable utility bills in the house,$9,518,903Compassion to give back to communities we serve flows through the heartrepresenting approximately 1 percent of the median household income in the eight and soul of Atmos Energys 4,700 employees. Whether it is reading tostates we serve. However, we recognize there are times when our customers needCustomer assistance received financial assistance with their bill. That is why we always stand ready to offer criticalthrough LIHEAP and other students, working with local food banks, or showing appreciation to ourrelief to families and businesses. In addition to our annual Sharing the Warmthassistance programshometown heroes, our employees have always invested in the communitiescontribution, we donated an additional $1 million directly to energy assistance we call home. In 2020, we formally rebranded what we have been doing for yearswe call it Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities. agencies to help customers stay warm this winter. These funds are distributed in$1,877,127partnership with more than 100 energy assistance agencies and nonprofit organizations across the eight states we serve. Financial assistance provided through our Sharing the Fueling Bright Minds and Healthy Futures for Our Kids Beginning in March, we temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections forWarmth programnon-payment, in addition to offering additional flexible payment plans and raising Through our Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program, we donated $2 million across the eight states we serveawareness about financial help that is available to qualified households. To maketo provide resources that help students read on level by the third grade. Third grade marks the shift from learning tosure homes and businesses have reliable and affordable natural gas, Atmos Energy37,424read to reading to learn, which means deficient readers are at greater risk of falling behind. According to thecontinues to work with our customers and local assistance agencies to offer customersHouseholds assisted through National Conference of State Legislatures, research shows that students struggling to read at the end of third gradeyear-round relief and financial solutions including Atmos Energys Sharing the Warmthenergy assistance programsare four times less likely to finish high school. program and the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).Sharing a similar passion to open doors, broaden horizons, and position kids for success, we proudly committed Atmos Energy continues to work with our customers and local assistance agencies to $1 million of the donation to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to bring life-changing resources to our youngestmake sure homes and businesses have reliable and affordable natural gas when they learners and their families. need it the most.An estimated 18 million children face hunger nationwide, so we also donated $2 million to join forces withhundreds of local school districts, food banks, and other essential organizations to give the breakfasts, lunches,Fueling Honor and Appreciationsnacks, and healthy meals that all children need to grow, develop, and succeed. for Our Hometown HeroesFueling safe and thriving communities means we are committed to enhancing childhood literacy and reducing foodFirefighters, police, medical professionals, teachers, and other insecurity, and these donations will fuel bright minds and healthy futures for the kids in our communities. community role models are Americas everyday heroes, and we proudly support their continued dedication to the communities we serve. In September, Atmos Energy donated $105,000 to Colorado and Kansas fire departments that are essential inDavid, Colorado Operations Supervisor, shares his protecting public health, safety, and community well-being. appreciation with the Greeley Fire Department Rescue team.Americas firefighters respond to health and safety emergencies every day, while fire departments also offer safety classes to educate the public about topics including the proper use of fire extinguishers, the importance of fire alarms, and sound evacuation procedures. As part of our commitment to fueling safe and thriving communities, we partner with thousands of firefighter personnel each year to provide natural gas safety training, promote home safety guidance to residents, and support victims of natural disasters.Atmos Energys donation helped to provide equipment and personal protective gear, raise awareness for community safety, support professional development, and expand volunteer fire departments.We are extremely grateful to Atmos Energy for their generosity and for their dedication to community safety, helping us Atmos Energy employees Kurtis, David, and Frank donate backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles to a school in Greeley, CO. In attendanceprepare to deal with the vast array of emergencies we face, said Chief Dale Lyman of the Greeley (Colo.) Fire Department.is Greeley-Evans Weld County School District 6 Superintendent, Dr. Deirdre Pilch, and Centennial Elementary Principal, Dr. Angie McDowell.24 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION25'