UNTITLED (WHTC-AM/FM, May 2, 2022) – In its first round of grants for 2022, Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund has awarded more than $144,000 to 61 local nonprofit organizations across the cooperative’s 26-county service area, which stretches from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits. Last year the People Fund surpassed the $4 million mark in grants awarded since the program’s inception in 1999.
Funding for the program comes from members of the electric cooperative who agree to have their monthly bills rounded up to the next whole dollar. Members are encouraged to enroll in the People Fund online at gtlakes.com or by contacting Great Lakes Energy’s office.
Cooperative members also have the opportunity to increase their contributions to the People Fund through People Fund PLUS. The People Fund PLUS program allows members to choose an amount, in addition to the monthly bill round-up, to contribute to the program.
Grants are awarded twice each year by three independent regional boards representing the cooperative’s north, central, and south regions.
The south region board awarded the following 17 grants totaling $46,000 in the first grant cycle of 2022. Great Lakes Energy’s south service district includes the counties of Allegan, Barry, Kent, Muskegon, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa. Allegan United Methodist Church, Allegan received $2,600 for replacing the food pantry commercial freezer, contingent on raising the rest of the funds needed. Project Hope of NE Allegan County, Dorr received $2,000 for personal care items, cleaning and paper products, and over-the-counter medications for pantry clients.
Information on grants awarded to organizations in GLE’s north and central regions are listed at gtlakes.com/people-fund/.
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