Winter is upon us and more Tennesseans are flipping the switch on their heaters and discovering it is time to upgrade their systems.  The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Energy Division reminds Tennesseans that there is still more than $1 million remaining for energy efficient appliance rebates for consumers who have upgraded to a qualifying Energy Star® appliance since April 22, 2010.

Since October 30, ECD’s Energy Division reports that 17,491 rebates, totaling $4,131,760, have been paid to Tennesseans through the program. Tennessee consumers can still purchase and install eligible Energy Star Appliances to replace less efficient models and receive a rebate debit card on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.  Applications must be postmarked by January 14, 2012.  Tennesseans can track funds still remaining at http://teearp.efi.org.

It's "Free Food Friday" at Action News 5. We teamed up with the Midtown Lennys and Curbside Casseroles in east Memphis to raise money for the Mid-South Food Bank.

What will your office do to raise money for the Mid-South Food Bank?

On "Free Food Friday",  we ask our staff to join us for a FREE lunch in exhange for a donation to the Mid-South Food Bank.  It's the second year for the fundraiser at Action News 5.  Staffers were treated to turkey, ham, dressing, green breans, pyramid potatoes, salad, pecan pie, apple pie and much more from Curbside Casseroles.  Lennys provided turkey, ham, tuna and even chicken salad sandwiches with all the fixin's, chips, cookies and drinks.  The food was delicious!