Bluebonnet Awards Grants to Fire Departments, Food Pantries

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will award $1,000 grants to 64 fire departments and 26 food pantries serving communities across the cooperative’s 14-county service area. Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the grants during its September Board meeting and grants will be awarded in October.

“The service that these fire departments and food pantries provide Bluebonnet’s members and communities is vitally important and providing these grants is one of the proudest things we do at Bluebonnet,” said Ben Flencher, Chairman of Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors. “The work they do helps people and families at the time when they need it the most.”

The grants will support the firefighters and first responders who devote their time, skill and courage to keeping communities safe. The money will help cover essential costs such as fuel, equipment, repairs and other critical needs. The grants will also help food pantries provide holiday meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas that many families would not have otherwise.

These grants do not come from Bluebonnet members’ bill payments or rates. They are funded through unclaimed capital credit payments to former members that are returned to Bluebonnet from the State of Texas.

“Bluebonnet is committed to serving its members and communities by supporting essential organizations like fire departments, first responders and food pantries,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Our partnerships with and ongoing support for these organizations are an integral part of Bluebonnet’s core and culture.”

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop.