As the community works to overcome the impacts of COVID-19, the South River EMC Foundation is providing a boost to local agencies and schools with $58,475 in grants. 

The organizations that received funding are: Averasboro Battlefield Commission, $5000; First Tee Chapter of the Sandhills Inc., $1,000; The Care Clinic, $5000; Eastover Volunteer Fire Department, $5000; Action Pathways Inc. (Second Harvest Food Bank), $4975; Gray’s Creek Volunteer Fire Department Station 18, $5000; and South River EMC’s Helping Hands program received $10,000.

Educational institutes were awarded the following grants; Roseboro-Salemburg Middle, $10,000; Central Carolina Community College Foundation, $10,000; and Overhills Middle, $2,500.

“Now, more than ever, we are proud to be able to help support our community partners,” said Catherine O’Dell. “As our communities work to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns, South River EMC is here to lend a helping hand.”

South River EMC members have invested over $2.3 million in grants to local communities through the program since its 2007 inception.

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program that enables members of South River EMC to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar. For example, if a bill is $115.94, the bill rounds up to $116 and the extra 6¢ is deposited into the Community Assistance Corporation fund. This program demonstrates that individuals can make a huge impact in the community with small donations each month.

South River EMC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis. The next due date is August 21, by 5 p.m. Applications and rules can be found online at sremc.com. Please note that handwritten applications are not accepted. Always be sure to download the latest application to ensure you have the most updated requirements.

South River EMC is a locally owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 45,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.