Verendrye Electric Cooperative recently concluded a matching grant program for the year, giving $30,000 to four organizations in Minot and rural areas.

For the past several years Verendrye Electric has partnered with its lender, CoBank, and power producer, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, to provide the grants. Each dollar Verendrye donates is matched by the two cooperatives, tripling Verendrye’s donations.

“This program helps us leverage our donations to provide an even larger impact in the communities we serve,” said Verendrye Manager Randy Hauck. “We’re happy to help provide a boost to organizations that are doing great work in our communities.”

Coincidentally, each recipient received money to help build or move into new buildings that will help them serve their clients better.

The four grants given this year were:

– Project BEE, Minot: $7,500 to help with its $10 million Broadway Circle project for temporary shelter, permanent low-income housing, food pantry, soup kitchen and office space.

– Community Food Pantry, Makoti: $7,500 to help remodel and improve accessibility to a building that was donated. This year the pantry moved from a small space in Ryder to its new location in Makoti.

– Harvey Senior Citizens: $7,500 to help remodel a building purchased in Harvey. The organization is moving to a different location that has more space so it can serve its clients better and have more events to help keep seniors active.

– Harvey SWAT Wrestling Club: $7,500 to help remodel a building the club purchased that will give it more space and time to practice. The club has participants from Harvey and surrounding rural areas.