BEC Foundation Awards $20,000 in Community Grants

Two nonprofit organizations within the Bandera Electric Cooperative service territory were recently awarded BEC Foundation grants for the second quarter. The BEC Foundation board awarded the grants based on its charitable giving guidelines and predetermined criteria.
 
Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries received $10,000 to assist with two different projects. $5,000 supports the Stand by Me Summer Program, a leadership academy that offers life changing experiences for at-risk youth. This program offers opportunities to volunteer in the community, visit businesses and colleges, learn self-confidence and team building skills. The additional $5,000 supports the Give Thanks, Thanksgiving Box Project that provides more than 350 Thanksgiving food boxes to families in need and provides more than 400 turkeys to local community partners that provide hot meals to local citizens.
 
The Utopia Food Pantry received $10,000 to purchase a new commercial refrigerator and freezer, electrical materials to increase the electrical capacity of the food pantry building, and building materials to expand the food pantry by 400 square feet.
 
“As an organization that is completely dependent upon donations, the grant from the BEC Foundation is extraordinary. Our demand has increased by 124% since the pandemic began, and we will now be able to double the size of the food pantry and meet the standards set in place by the San Antonio Food Bank. We cannot thank the Foundation enough for what the grant has done for us and to be able to serve a larger part of the community,” said Chad Chamness President of the Utopia Food Pantry.
 
The BEC Foundation commonly supports organizations through charitable contributions with a focus on health initiatives, education and youth programs, social services projects, and community services projects. BEC Foundation grant applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. For information and eligibility requirements or to contribute to the Foundation, please visit BanderaElectric.com/Giving.