Central Electric Cooperative recently awarded a $1,000 grant to the Kimball Backpack Program, a $1,500 grant to the Kimball Center Food Pantry and a $2,000 grant to Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity through Operation Round-Up.
The Kimball Backpack program used grant funds for youth nutrition assistance. Project coordinator Helen Eimers explained, "The mission of the Kimball Backpack Program is to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations."
Kimball Center Food Pantry used grant funds to install a handicap-accessible door. In the grant application, Audrey Konechne explained, "The food pantry serves approximately 500 individuals throughout the year." She said the City of Kimball purchased the building where the food pantry is located, and the grant was needed to replace the rear entry door for accessibility.
Dacotah Tipis Habitat for Humanity of Fort Thompson used grant funds to purchase new ladders, hand tools and other needed supplies. Red Olson, past president of Dacotah Tipis, has been involved with the organization since 2000. "Some projects were at a standstill, but now we can perform maintenance on privately owned homes," Olson said. Individuals interested in requesting assistance or contributing to the cause can find more information at www.dacotahtipis.org.
Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which members round up their monthly statement to the next whole dollar, and the extra cents accumulate to support area projects. Many cooperative employees also contribute to the fund through payroll. Since 2015, members and employees have invested approximately $185,000 to support projects in the cooperative's eight-county footprint, which includes Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn Counties.
The next Operation Round-Up grant application deadline is Nov. 1. For more information about the program, contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop/operation-round-up.