The EnergyUnited Foundation announced a new, historic campaign to donate more than $100,000 to local food banks throughout its 19-county service territory. The ‘Drive to SHINE’ Campaign will provide critical assistance to 25 food banks to fight rising levels of food insecurity brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Davie County’s A Storehouse for Jesus, which provides free food and clothing through its Distribution Ministry and free medical care and prescription medications through its Medical Ministry, received $6,874.71.
Carol Wasilauskas, grant administrator for A Storehouse for Jesus, shared that the funding will be used to purchase food items that will be needed during 2021. “The Storehouse staff and clients are very grateful for this funding from Energy United and for their support of our mission to serve those in need.”
“The Foundation believes this historic campaign couldn’t come at a more important time, as many EnergyUnited members and community members continue to struggle from job losses and wage reductions,” said Debra Citta, EnergyUnited Foundation Administrator. “The long lines we are observing at local food banks confirm the reality of our current economic crisis. People need to see these positive examples of cooperative leadership that shine a light on our greatest needs.”
The EnergyUnited Foundation is a voluntary, member-funded non-profit organization supported by EnergyUnited’s Operation Round-Up program. More than 80,000 EnergyUnited members choose to participate in the program by ‘rounding up’ their electric bills each month. The maximum monthly contribution for an individual member with one account is 99 cents. Each of these small contributions is pooled together in a single fund managed by the EnergyUnited Foundation to support needy individuals, families, and non-profit organizations that complete an application explaining the reason and purpose for their requested grant.
Since 1996, the EnergyUnited Foundation has provided grants to many community organizations and individuals in need – awarding well over $3 million since the program began. In 2020 the foundation awarded over $500,000 in grants throughout our community.
About EnergyUnited
EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina serving nearly 130,000 metering points. Headquartered in Statesville, EnergyUnited provides electric service in portions of nineteen counties in west-central North Carolina which include Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Wilkes and Yadkin.
To learn more about The EnergyUnited Foundation and EnergyUnited’s Operation Round-Up program, visit www.energyunited.com/givingback.
