Food Pantry Receives Grant

The Lewis County Food Pantry recently received a grant from the CARES Foundation. Pictured are volunteers from the Food Pantry and members of the CARES board. Matthew Roberts, Linda Rutledge, Mandy Gosik, Carol Ragar, Elanie Gorrell, Judy Smith and Twila Downs.

The CARES Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that was formed to promote rural community and economic development, agricultural research endeavors, improvement of health care, and educational development throughout our service territory. The Foundation is governed by a six-person board of directors that meet quarterly to oversee the organization. Those directors are Judy Smith, President, Ryan St.Clair, Vice-President, Janice McGinnis, Secretary/Treasurer, Renee Kirchner, Linda Rutledge, and Jeanie James. This Foundation is funded by REC customers who have the option to participate by rounding up their bill to the next whole dollar.

Anyone that would like to participate in the round up program, can contact the REC office to be enrolled in the program. Customers can enroll or drop out of the program at any time. Funds donated to the Foundation through the round up program will be returned through donations from the Foundation keeping with the Foundations guidelines. Any organization requesting a donation from the Foundation will have to fill out a detailed application and the Foundation Board of Directors will review those applications and decide if funds will be distributed. Organizations do not have to be REC customers. This Foundation is a totally separate entente from Lewis County REC and is not in any way governed by the Lewis County REC Board of Directors.

Organizations that would like more information can call the Lewis County REC office at 573-215-4000.