WADESBORO — Helping Hands/Backpack Pals of Richmond County recently received a Pee Dee Electric Care to Share grant for a new forklift. The Care to Share program allows members to round their monthly bill up to the nearest dollar amount. In 2018 alone, members donated more than $100,000 that went to local nonprofits across our seven county service area.
Backpack Pals is a nonprofit organization that is run solely by volunteers. Every week, the volunteers load more than 600 bags with food for school children who may need meals at home. Local veterans then drive the bags to every school in the Richmond County area. The Care to Share funds will replace a 1955 forklift that is used to load pallets into the delivery van.
“The new forklift will help our volunteers more easily load and unload donations and purchases that are sent to us,” says Kim Lindsey, public relations director for the organization. “We plan to name the forklift ‘Dee Dee’ in honor of the Pee Dee members who made the purchase possible.”
Care to Share grants are available to nonprofits that support the community across Pee Dee’s seven-county service area. Grants are awarded four times a year and organizations can apply every three years.
“Care-to-Share grants are funded through the generosity of our members,” stated Cathy Page, vice president of member services at Pee Dee Electric. “These funds go a long way in supporting the communities in which we live, work and play and we are grateful to our members that continue to support the Care-to-Share program.”
Interested in volunteering with Backpack Pals? Reach out to Kim Lindsey at 910-582-0051.
