Employees at Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp), a Basin Electric Class C member headquartered in Sundance, Wyoming, determined the funds that would normally be used on their Christmas party was not the most impactful use of funds during the current COVID-19 pandemic and economic times, so they decided instead to donate the funds to help local food pantries and soup kitchens during the holiday season in 2020.
From there, their gift multiplied, cooperative-style. The PRECorp Foundation responded with a dollar-for-dollar match of those funds. In turn, Basin Electric matched the PRECorp funds, resulting in $35,200 in grant awards to help feed the hungry across five northeast Wyoming counties.
Each year, Basin Electric allocates a portion of its Charitable Giving Program’s budget as matching funds for donations made by its member systems, allowing their donations to go even farther in their communities. “As a cooperative, we are always looking to support the communities where our facilities are located,” says Chris Baumgartner, Basin Electric Senior Vice President of Member Services and Administration. “Concern for Community is one of seven cooperative principles Basin Electric truly believes in and these donations show that. We are thankful that we are able to help these local charitable organizations feed the hungry in their communities.”
“We are grateful for the challenge by employees at PRECorp who really made this happen, and the special giving by Basin Electric, which will help families in need which will help families in need this Christmas” says PRECorp Foundation Board President, John Flocchini. “The effort of the Foundation in 2020 has been to assist local organizations who are working to bring food security to their communities. This donation will help those organizations fulfill that mission into 2021.”
Below are the many local charities who benefited from the donation.
Campbell County:
Campbell County Council of Community Services, Campbell County Senior Center for benefit of Home-Delivered Meals Program, Wright Community Assistance, and Wright Silver Sage Senior Center
Crook County:
Moorcroft Interfaith Community Food Pantry; and Crook County Senior Services meals programs in Sundance, Hulett and Moorcroft
Johnson County:
Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends, Kaycee All Souls Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Buffalo Bread of Life Food Pantry, Buffalo Senior Center, Boys and Girls Club of the Central Wyoming
Sheridan County:
Sheridan Salvation Army - The Harvest Food Pantry, Sheridan Hub on Smith, People Assistance Food Pantry, First Christian Church Lunch Together/Soup Kitchen Program, and The Food Group
Weston County:
B.R.E.A.D. Food Pantry, Upton Food Bank, Weston County Senior Services
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