Concern for Community is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles. In July, Fayette Electric Cooperative, in partnership with CoBank, put that principle to work and made $5,000 donations to two area not-for-profit organizations.
These donations were all made possible through CoBanks’s Sharing Success Charitable Contribution Program, through which CoBank matches a one-time annual donation of up to $5,000 that Fayette EC makes to nonprofit organizations.
The two nonprofit organizations chosen to receive funds from the 2018 grant program are the Area Ministries for Emergency Needs (AMEN) and Second Chance Emporium.
Formed in 1992, AMEN’S volunteer staff from 12 area churches helps distribute food to an average of 200 to 250 families per month, representing a minimum of 1,000 individuals. The pantry offers fresh vegetables, meat, milk, bread and eggs, along with traditional pantry items of canned goods and other non-perishable items.
AMEN was about to begin a campaign for a building relocation into a building provided by the City of La Grange at 851 S. Reynolds St. when Hurricane Harvey and the floods occurred. AMEN graciously gave Second Chance their new location which enabled Second Chance to operate the Disaster Recovery Distribution and Donations Centers for the City of La Grange and Fayette County. In October, Second Chance re-opened as a resale store in this temporary location.
“AMEN is looking to the future to complete the remodeling of the facility provided by the City of La Grange once Second Chance is able to build and move into their new facility. AMEN will utilize the $5,000 donation for purchasing office furniture, chairs for the waiting room, and racks for the food pantry area,” said Garry Schellberg, AMEN Board Treasurer.
The Second Chance Emporium will use the $5,000 donation for their building fund to assist in the construction of a new facility on land that was recently purchased near the temporary location that was set up after the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey completely destroyed their building and contents on Brown Street.
“A grant from Fayette EC will go a long way in helping Second Chance achieve its building fund target. The sooner Second Chance gets into its new building, the sooner it can begin generating more money and making larger charitable grants to strengthen the quality of life for those in the communities it serves,” said Linda Streicher, Second Chance Board Treasurer.
CoBank’s Sharing Success Program was started in 2012 as a way to give back to co-ops and the non-profits they support. Under the program, CoBank allocates $3 million annually to match charitable contributions by cooperatives to nonprofit organizations in their local communities, up to $5,000 per customer.
“CoBank’s Sharing Success Matching Grant Program is designed to celebrate the vital role that our customers play in their communities. Partnering with our customers to support the causes and organizations they care about most is a great way for CoBank to make a positive impact and fulfill its mission of service to rural America,” said Mike Cowley, Vice President, CoBank Electric Distribution Division.
About Fayette Electric Cooperative
Organized in 1937, Fayette Electric Cooperative provides reliable, cost-effective service to over 9,670 member’s residences, farms, ranches and businesses in portions of Fayette, Bastrop, Lee, Washington, Austin, Colorado and Lavaca counties. FEC owns and operates 2,888 miles of line and serves over 14,550 meters.
About CoBank
CoBank is a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation's rural economy. In addition to serving its direct retail borrowers, the bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving approximately 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.