Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) members helped stock Pierce and Pepin County food shelves through the co-op’s charitable foundation, Pierce Pepin Cares. At their October meeting, the Pierce Pepin Cares board awarded $17,600 in grants to eight food pantries; each received $2,200—Pierce County Food Pantry, Elmwood Food Pantry, Plum City Food Pantry, Prescott Area Food Shelf, River Falls Food Pantry, Spring Valley Community Food Pantry, Pepin County Food Pantry, and Pepin-Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran-Food Pantry. PPCS members also donated 285 pounds of non-perishable food and $35 in cash to the Pierce County Food Pantry at October’s member appreciation breakfast.

The Pierce Pepin Cares board also awarded a $2,125 grant to the Ellsworth Area Ambulance to create mass casualty treatment kits for use in large-scale emergency events and a $1,000 grant to St. Croix Valley SART to help create training space that includes equipment for virtual webinars to train forensic nurse examiners.

The grant recipients all expressed gratitude for the generosity of PPCS members who participate in Operation Round Up, the main funding source for Pierce Pepin Cares.  Members enrolled in the program contribute only about $6 annually, but the collective power of Operation Round Up is significant. For example, the impact of these cash donations to food pantries is substantial.  For each dollar donated, the food pantries can purchase $5-7 in food for their guests.

“Concern for Community is one of our core cooperative principles. We are so grateful to our members who share their concern for the community by participating in Operation Round Up,” said Nate Boettcher, PPCS president and CEO.  “Their participation makes a tremendous impact in the community by supporting these programs that focus on well-being and help everyone feel safe and secure.”

PPCS members fund the Pierce Pepin Cares Foundation by participating in Operation Round Up and rounding up their electric bills to the nearest dollar each month or donating a specific dollar amount.  The program provides charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations that offer programs and support projects to enhance the quality of life for those within the communities served by the cooperative. 

Pierce Pepin Cares grants are awarded quarterly by the Pierce Pepin Cares board of directors. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying may visit www.piercepepin.coop or call 800-924-2133 for information. The next application deadline is December 15.