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Have Southern Pine Electric? Keep reading to see how your extra pennies are serving your local community.
If you round up your bill to the nearest dollar each month, your funds go directly back into the Simpson County community through Southern Pine’s Members Helping Members Program, a fund at the Pinebelt Foundation.
This summer, that money will help feed children in low-income households, children with disabilities, and children in single-parent homes. Katina’s Klassroom, a nonprofit focusing on reading and food insecurity, is a program recipient.
“We are extremely blessed, Southern Pine saw the important work the nonprofit does in the community. With this grant, we have already developed action plans with Simpson County Schools to tackle food insecurity in the Magee, Pinola, and Head Start areas,” said Katina’s Klassroom Founder Katina Rankin. “Research has shown food insecurity is directly tied to a child’s learning, so Katina’s Klassroom focuses on nourishment for the mind, body, and soul. Our food donations will begin immediately in June,” Rankin continued.
“Together, we uplift one another. Ecclesiastes 4:9 and 10 remind us that two are better than one. For if they fall, one can lift the other. These scriptures embody the spirit of the Members Helping Members program, and it shows the value and benefit of people working together,” said Southern Pine’s Director of Community Development, Darnell Moffett.
“Members Helping Members is funded by Southern Pine members who choose to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. These small contributions—just cents each month—are pooled together to create grants that support nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations making a difference locally,” said Moffett.
“The next grant application cycle will open August 1 and close August 31, 2025. Eligible organizations within Southern Pine’s service territory are invited to apply and turn great ideas into lasting impact.
For more information about the Members Helping Members program, or to view a full list of grant recipients, visit southernpine.coop/MHM.”
Moffett continued.
So the next time your bill arrives in your mailbox, think about how you can help youth, first responders, the environment, and other community services with less than a can of soda.
By Katina Rankin
MageeNews.com is the online website serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the state of Mississippi
