The St. Louis Area Foodbank received an energy stewardship award from Orion Energy Systems on March 28, 2012, for their efforts to replace existing lighting with energy-efficient fixtures.

The new lighting, made possible with the help of Ameren and Innovative Facilities Systems, will save the Foodbank $14,000 annually, which translates into providing 51,800 more meals for families in need.  Llona C. Weiss, director of the division of energy, spoke at the event.  She is pictured with Foodbank CEO and President Frank Finnegan.  Leanne Tippett Mosby, deputy director of operations for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, presented a proclamation from Gov. Jay Nixon to the Foodbank.

The proclamation notes that the Foodbank’s energy management project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 122 tons per year.

The project was made possible by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The department’s Best Price Energy Efficiency Program awarded a $17,425 grant to Innovative Facilities Systems, and they passed through $12,839 to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.