The Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op Board of Directors has approved another year of participation in CoBank’s “Sharing Success” program, a $3 million fund that benefits co-ops and the charitable groups they support throughout America.
CoBank is a nonprofit co-op that serves as a “bank for cooperatives” nationwide. Under this program, CoBank has matched contributions by PIE&G’s members (through its Operation Round Up/Communities First Fund) on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $5,000.
Because it provides services directly to many PIE&G members, the Presque Isle Food/Baby Pantry was selected in the Co-op’s application to CoBank for matching funds from Sharing Success and will receive a total of $10,000.
“Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op values our partnership with the communities we serve. Our mission includes improving the quality of life for our members through the use of a cooperative business model. This contribution to the Food/Baby Pantry is a perfect example of how PIE&G fulfills its mission,” said Brian Burns, PIE&G president/CEO. “I’m grateful that we’ve been able to leverage our relationship with CoBank—a business partner from another part of the country—to increase the power of our local giving to provide services our members desperately need.”
“The funding will be used to purchase a variety of food staples and other items to stock both the food and baby pantry for those in need in Presque Isle County,” explains Beth Getzinger, Food/Baby Pantry director. The Pantry is staffed by local volunteers. “The combined grant will allow those needing assistance to have greater access to healthy food items and to help families meet the basic necessities of infant care,” Getzinger adds.