ELLSWORTH – Pierce Pepin Cares, the charitable arm of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS), awarded grants for the third quarter to local non-profit programs recently. Pierce Pepin Cares is funded by PPCS members who round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar through Operation Round Up®, as well as direct donations.

The Pierce Pepin Cares board approved $2,500 grants to Have a Heart, Inc., to assist with fixing siding, dead tree removal and finishing the entry to the renovated farmhouse, and to Prescott Foundation K9 Unit Fund to assist with costs associated with establishing a K9 unit for the Prescott area.

A grant was also awarded through Federated Youth Foundation to Ellsworth Community School District in the amount of $1,500 to support its fourth annual back-to-school event, providing school supplies, backpacks, shoes, calculators, and more.

“We are proud of the good PPCS members are able to do through Pierce Pepin Cares,” said Nate Boettcher, PPCS’ president and CEO. “We are very thankful for the generosity of our members who participate in Operation Round Up. Individually members contribute about $6 annually but taken together these contributions provide significant assistance within the community.”

Pierce Pepin Cares 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 PPCS._ Pierce Pepin Cares grants are awarded quarterly by the Pierce Pepin Cares board of directors. All nine PPCS directors serve on the Pierce Pepin Cares board of directors along with one PPCS member and one PPCS employee. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying may visit www.piercepepin.coop or call 800-924-2133 for information. The next application deadline is Oct. 15._

Submitted by Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services

Photo courtesy of PPCS

Photo courtesy of PPCS

Have A Heart, Inc. received $2,500 to support efforts to clean up the farm; fixing the siding of the buildings, dead tree removal, repairing driveway and culvert and finishing entryways to the renovated farmhouse. Pictured (from left) from Have a Heart, Inc. are Courtney Vorwald and Rachel Bowen, and PPCS employees Heidi Lindquist and Jay Nesseth.