Hendricks Power Cooperative contributes to Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry

Hendricks Power Cooperative Director of Corporate Marketing Dana Servaes presents a $2,000 check to Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry President Judy Miller. Pictured at the presentation are, from left, Elaine Peck of the Putnam County Community Foundation, Betty McBride and Miller of the Food Pantry and Servaes.

On behalf of Hendricks Power Cooperative and its members, Dana Servaes presented Judy Miller, president and director of the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, a $2,000 check to help the pantry fulfill its mission and meet the growing demand of those affected by the troubled economy.

The pantry provides a service to residents of Putnam County by offering hunger relief to those in need. In 2010, the pantry served nearly 50,000 meals. In 2009, 4.8 percent of all U.S. households (5.6 million households) accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times, according to feedingamerica.org.

"There has been a continuous need for this type of resource," said Servaes, director of corporate marketing at Hendricks Power. "And the demand continues to increase, due to higher prices and unemployment. We are grateful that our members have provided the funds that enable us to make this contribution. We hope this will make peoples' lives just a little easier as they get back on their feet."

Elaine Peck, executive director of the Putnam County Community Foundation, assisted with the presentation.

"We are grateful to all the Hendricks Power customers who make it possible for us to address needs and aspirations in Putnam County," Peck said. "Their donations through the Operation Round-Up program made this grant possible."

The Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, located at 620 Tennessee St., Greencastle, relies solely on donations for food, money and time. It is open from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday. Persons may contact Miller at 301-4431 for further information.

Members of Hendricks Power Cooperative made this donation possible through their Operation Round-Up contributions. Operation Round-Up is a voluntary fundraising program that lets members round up their energy bill to the next whole dollar -- the difference is then deposited into the Hendricks Power Cooperative Operation Round-Up Fund, which is held at the Putnam County Community Foundation.

Together, Hendricks Power and the Community Foundation determine the most appropriate uses to benefit the community. Anyone interested in receiving funds for the good of the community can contact the organizations for guidelines and an application.