Oceana organizations receive $11,000 in People Fund grants

Oceana organizations receive $11,000 in People Fund grants

Great Lakes Energy members who support the cooperative’s People Fund program made possible seven grants to four area organizations totaling $11,000. The organizations and grant amounts include:

• First Baptist Church of Pentwater/Pentwater Community Food Pantry: $2,000 for freezers for the food pantry.
• Shelby Area District Library, Shelby: $1,000 for children’s books for a reading program.
• El Centro Hispano de Oceana, Hart: $4,000 for computers and software for a computer lab.
• Community Foundation for Oceana County, Shelby: $4,000 for books for the Read Early Read Often program.

The People Fund is supported by the voluntary contributions of Great Lakes Energy members who allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. More than $3 million in grants have been awarded since 1999 to charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, which stretches along the western side of Michigan.

“The average contribution to the People Fund is less than 50 cents per month,” said President/CEO Bill Scott. “It’s one of the easiest ways our members can show their commitment to local communities by rounding their bill to the nearest dollar.”

Great Lakes Energy members can enroll in the People Fund by calling 888-485-2537 or visiting gtlakes.com. All 100 percent of the funds collected are used for grants.

Non-profit organizations in the Great Lakes Energy service area can apply for a grant through the People Fund by calling Great Lakes Energy, 1-888-485-2537, ext. 1313. The next grant application deadline is Oct. 15.