How PSE helped Skagit Gleaners lower their bill and invest more in the community

Skagit Gleaners helps working families in Skagit County. In addition to operating a thrift store, the organization rescues food that would have otherwise gone to waste (also known as “gleaning”) and redistributes it to people in need of affordable and healthy groceries. After qualifying for PSE’s free Small Business Energy Assessment, Skagit Gleaners got energy-efficient lighting installed throughout their entire warehouse for free, allowing them to better serve the community.

Skagit Gleaners operates out of an old building in Mt. Vernon owned by the city, where volunteers bring food from farms, restaurants and grocery stores and sort it into grocery store-style shopping. For the small nonprofit, it was a great deal in terms of affordability, but the space had its shortcomings.

“Our lights were going out all the time,” said Executive Director Morgan Curry. “There was never a set time where all the lights were working and it was bright and we could easily see.”

The faulty fluorescent lighting was a major safety concern for the volunteer-run organization, and it cost a lot of money each month. After completing a free energy assessment of the warehouse, PSE brought in a team to replace the old lighting. Using a scissor lift to reach the high ceilings, PSE installed over $6,000 worth of energy-efficient LED lighting to illuminate the warehouse.

"Our Small Business Energy Efficiency program is another example of how PSE shows up for local organizations by helping them improve operations, reduce energy usage and decrease the associated environmental impact,” said PSE Outreach Manager Hunter Hassig, who helped make the project happen.

The upgrades made it safer and easier for people to work and shop in the warehouse, and they helped Skagit Gleaners save money.

"Utilities is our largest expense aside from payroll, but I no longer have sticker shock when I look at utilities," Curry said. "It's finally leveled out."

Curry is glad to decrease the organization’s environmental impact too, making Skagit Gleaners more sustainable. And with the savings generated by the new lighting, the organization will be able to expand its much-needed services.

“It's great because the money that we're saving on utility costs, we're able to use that money and wrap it back into program development or support.”

Soon the organization will expand programs supporting migrant farm workers.

If you run a small business or nonprofit, and you’re interested in learning more about PSE’s Small Business Energy Efficiency program, click here.