Powder River Energy Foundation gives $20,000 to local organizations in special Holiday giving

With a dramatic increase in its annual Holiday giving program, the Powder River Energy Foundation recently donated a total of $20,000 to 17 charitable organizations in the five-county area of northeast Wyoming.

“The Foundation’s mission is to demonstrate our commitment to individuals and nonprofit or charitable organizations in northeast Wyoming by lending a helping hand that will improve their quality of life or service to their community,” said Foundation Executive Director Jeff Bumgarner.

“Because people in our communities continue to experience challenges, as well as the charities that bring relief, our Foundation Board approved a $5,000 increase in its support this Holiday season.”

The grants will go directly toward the Holiday season work of local charities in helping families in need at this time of year. The 2019 Holiday giving program grants totaled $10,000 and $15,000 in 2020.

The increases are in recognition of current times and needs. This year’s recipients by county are:

• Campbell County: The Mercantile at Rawhide Elementary, Campbell County Council of Community Services, Campbell County Senior Center home-delivered meals and Gillette Salvation Army.

• Crook County: Moorcroft Interfaith Community for food baskets and Hulett Holiday Baskets.

• Johnson County: Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends, All Souls Episcopal Church Kaycee food pantry and Buffalo Bread of Life Food Pantry.

• Sheridan County: The Food Group, Inc., Hub on Smith, Sheridan Foster Parent Exchange, and Sheridan Police Department Cops for Kids.

• Weston County: Newcastle Ministerial Association Holiday giving, Helping Hands Foundation of Weston County, B.R.E.A.D. food pantry and Weston County Peace Officers Shop with a Cop.

The donation is possible through fundraisers, members donating their capital credits and PRECorp’s Operation RoundUp® program. Operation RoundUp® program gathers voluntary contributions from participating co-op members by “rounding up” their monthly bill to the next dollar, resulting in an average donation of 50 cents a month. These donations are then transferred to the Powder River Energy Foundation, which is governed by the independent, voluntary Board of Directors who represent each county in the PRECorp service area.

One hundred percent of Operation RoundUp® program funds go directly to the organizations and all administrative overhead to the Foundation is donated through its relationship with PRECorp. Additionally, since the Powder River Energy Foundation is a 501 (c) (3), donations may be tax deductible, including event sponsorships and capital credit donations.

For more information on the Powder River Energy Foundation or to sign up for the Operation RoundUp® program, PRECorp members can call a Member Service Representative at 1-800-442-3630, check the Operation RoundUp® program box on your monthly billing statement, or go to the Powder River Energy Foundation website at http://www.precorpfoundation.org.