Caring Neighbors donations meet community needs

RITZVILLE — Big Bend Electric Cooperative Inc.’s Caring Neighbors board donated to six area non-profit organizations, handing out a total of $5,900.

The funds for Caring Neighbors are donated by members of the Big Bend Electric Co-op when they allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. According to the cooperative, this averages out to about $6 per year for an individual account.

The five-member volunteer board reviews applications and determines award amounts quarterly. Donations are only made to municipal entitites or 501(c)(3) organizations.

WSU Adams County Extension received $1,000 to help fund the community health fair event, “From Harvest to Health.”

“WSU Adams County Extension has been looking positively down the road, and are hopeful they will be able to host their annual farm to table program in conjunction with East Adams Library District,” board member Dale Anderson said. “This year they will also combine efforts with East Adams Rural Hospital, calling the event “From Harvest to Health.”

Washtucna School District was given $500 to help students pay dues and purchase FFA clothing to be worn during FFA competitions.

In Othello, the Old Hotel Art Gallery received $1,000 to help purchase informational signs.

“They asked for help in purchasing signs that had blown down during the wind storms,” Anderson said. “They want to update the directional signs with informational ones directing visitors to the Old Hotel Galley and Milwaukee Road Caboose.”

In Franklin County, Basin City Elementary received $400 to help fund the literacy reading program. The North Franklin School District received $2,000 towards their fundraising goal for a new fieldhouse.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was given $1,000 to go towards the “National Night Out” community event.

“The Franklin County Sheriff is focusing on community outreach, very important in these trying times,” Anderson said. “This is the fourth year the sheriff’s office will host the National Night Out celebration. It is everyone’s hope that these functions will be able to meet and get back to some semblance of normal.”

The board is made up of Anderson (Ritzville), Stephanie Coon (Washtucna), Jamie Krueger (Othello), Beth Schafer (Connell) and Kay Corbin (Pasco).

Local non-profit groups and municipalities with a specific need they would like Caring Neighbors to consider can apply for funds by calling the cooperative office at 509 659 1700 or toll-free at 866 844 2363. Applications can also be downloaded from the Big Bend Electric Cooperative website.

The next application deadline is Sept. 15.