Rainbow Community Development Center

Rainbow Community Development Center (Rainbow CDC) is dedicated to building better lives for those in need by addressing critical food insecurity across Montgomery County. The organization operates a food pantry that serves about 2,400 households—more than 10,000 people—each month with fresh food, baby and adult diapers, and personal hygiene items. Rainbow CDC also shares its facility with Rainbow Family Christian Center Church, which runs an elementary school.

The Opportunity

With 34% of local residents experiencing food insecurity, Rainbow CDC needed reliable refrigeration to safely store fresh food for its clients.

The Upgrades

Rainbow CDC’s existing cold storage equipment was aging, inefficient, and costly to operate. With the help of Pepco’s Small Business program incentives and the contractor, Greenavise, Rainbow CDC replaced outdated units with:

  • Two large commercial refrigerators
  • Two large commercial freezers
  • One domestic refrigerator for staff

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) also provided a supplemental grant to help cover costs.

The Results

The project was completed in about six months, from application to installation. With $11,750 in incentives from Pepco and $31,530 from an MEA grant, Rainbow CDC cut its $43,280 total project cost entirely—meaning no out-of-pocket expense was incurred. Annual benefits include significant energy savings; reduced operating costs and carbon footprint; reliable, efficient cold storage; prevention of food spoilage; and improved food safety.

Experience the Success Firsthand

Pepco is proud to offer a variety of energy-saving programs designed to fit your business’s needs. Let us help you start saving energy and money.

We Are Here to Help

Have any questions about the incentives, your eligibility, or how to apply? Contact us and we can help you get started today.

 

EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. To learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate, click here.

The EmPOWER Maryland charge funds programs that can help you reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and save you money. Since the inception of the EmPOWER Maryland program in 2008, the programs have saved $14.5 billion on installed measures at a cost of $4.1 billion. In addition to new program costs, this charge includes paying off the uncollected costs that were accrued over time by programs required by the EmPOWER statute and authorized by the Commission. In accordance with House Bill 864 the uncollected amounts will be fully paid by the end of 2032.