CPL Retail Energy and IceRays Feed Those Most in Need This Holiday Season

Corpus Christi, Texas (12/08/2011) - The Christmas season is about giving and two of the biggest names in town teamed up to make the holiday season a bit brighter for Coastal Bend families.

CPL Retail Energy and the Corpus Christi IceRays held food drives during three November home games and collected more than 300 cans of food. CPL and IceRays officials along with IceRays players will deliver the goods at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, to the Food Bank of Corpus Christi, 826 Krill Street.

"This is the time of year, more than any other, when we stop and we do what we can for others," said Jim Steffes, Vice President of CPL Retail Energy. "The food drive called on our community to do the same and they did not disappoint. This food will go to feed families that truly need it this Christmas."

IceRays fans donated canned and boxed food, said Pat Dunn, the IceRays' General Manager. Fans that brought at least five items received a voucher for a free pass to a December game, he added.

"We asked for their help and they came through," Dunn said. "It's because of this community's support that the IceRays are here and it was with their help that we as a team are able to give back to those who need it the most."

About CPL Retail Energy:

CPL Retail Energy is part of the Direct Energy family of companies, one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy with its CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy related services companies - including Wendland Air Conditioning and Heating serving the Coastal Bend. CPL Retail Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states and 10 provinces in Canada. For more information, visit www.cplretailenergy.com.

About the Corpus Christi IceRays:

The Corpus Christi IceRays are the hometown hockey league, a member of the North American Hockey League. The team plays in the NAHL's South Division. The IceRays team was established in 1997 and played in the Central Hockey League from 1997 to 2010. Team colors are red, black and white. The IceRays play at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi.

About the Food Bank of Corpus Christi:

The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is a nonprofit organization that solicits and distributes food which might otherwise go to waste or be discarded by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Since 1982, the Food Bank has been fighting hunger in the Coastal Bend by providing food and personal care products to various charity and service agencies in our 11-county service area.

For additional information, contact:

Shabina Zakaria
Direct Energy
Shabina.Zakaria@directenergy.com
1-713-877-3611