Grants awarded to area groups

RITZVILLE – Two different organizations are providing grants to area recipients.

Big Bend Electric Co-op’s Caring Neighbors is providing $2,290 grants to local organziations. And Spokane Teacher Credit Union is providing $100 to a local teacher.

Overall, Big Bend Electric Co-op’s non-profit is providing 9,000 in grants to area organizations.

Local Caring Neighbor's grants include:

$750 to Cub Scouts Pack No. 73, Ritzville, to fund scouting activities.

$200 to the Ritzville Aerie/Auxiliary Eagles to assist with the community Easter egg hunt.

$500 to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ritzville, to help purchase color guard uniforms and equipment. $840 to the Wheat Land Communities Fair to help purchase a new door for the Lego Barn.

The five-member Caring Neighbors volunteer board reviews applications and determines award amounts quarterly, according to the press release.

The funds have been donated by customer/members of Big Bend Electric Co-op, who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the change allocated to Caring Neighbors.

Meanwhile, Chelsie Lavigueur is receiving a $100 grant for her class.

The Ritzville Grade School second-grade teacher said, “I plan to spend it on new books for my classroom.”

STCU, which previously had a branch in Ritzville, is providing $10,000 in grants drawn at random for projects that will enhance students' classroom experiences.