HOUSTON, Texas — International recording artist and Houston native Megan Pete, also known as Megan Thee Stallion, announced on July 18 that her nonprofit organization is partnering with local Houston nonprofit Bread of Life Inc. to launch an Emergency Power Program for senior citizens across Houston.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl on July 8, which led to widespread damage, flooding, and power outages, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for Texas on July 9, according to a news release from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The impact of the storm has been severe. As of July 18, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences reported at least 14 deaths in Harris County attributed to Beryl. Half of these fatalities were due to hyperthermia caused by power outages during or after the hurricane. The victims ranged in age from 50 years old to a 110-year-old woman from Humble who died on July 16.
The Emergency Power Program aims to ensure senior citizens have access to electricity by providing generators to senior personal care homes across Houston during the 2024 hurricane season. According to a social media post by Pete’s nonprofit, the Pete & Thomas Foundation, they have already distributed 10 generators and supplies in collaboration with Bread of Life Inc.
Bread of Life, Inc. Executive Director Rudy Rasmus stated that the goal is to provide generators to vulnerable seniors ahead of storms or other power outage events to prevent service interruptions. “We want to expand our support of the most vulnerable people in the city, and Hurricane Beryl has highlighted that our seniors are in dire need of assistance,” Rasmus said.
Megan Pete expressed her concern for the elderly population in Houston suffering without electricity during storms. “We need to do our part to provide our elders with the best resources possible to withstand future emergencies. That’s why we partnered with Bread of Life to take a strategic approach to this problem and secure generators to help protect our senior citizens,” Pete said.
