Sawnee Foundation Donates $200K To Local Food Banks: Coronavirus

CUMMING, GA — During this time of uncertainty, the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation, is sending much-needed help into the communities it serves.

The Foundation Board of Directors recently approved the awarding of $200,000 to 20 local food pantries within the Sawnee EMC service area. These funds are to purchase food that so many families need.

“We are very pleased that we can help out with these donations," Foundation Board Chair Deborah Pelfrey said. "More and more people will soon be showing up at different locations for help, and this money has the potential to help so many people. This is the essence of the Foundation and fits perfectly within our mission.”

This donation was made possible by over 18,000 Sawnee EMC members who choose each month to round their electric bill up to the next highest dollar. This “extra change” goes directly into the Foundation and is gifted back into the communities Sawnee serves. Members donate an average of $6 per year, but these small, yet generous, donations have allowed the Foundation Board to donate over $3 million back into the communities since inception in 2003.

"The Foundation Board and the Sawnee EMC staff would like to thank all the members that participate in the Operation Round Up program," the company said. "Their generous participation is what allows donations like these to be possible. Your extra change is going to help many families."

For more information about the Operation Round Up program, call Cindy Badgett, Director of External Affairs, at 678-455-1399 or email cindy.badgett@sawnee.com.