ACCEPTING A $2,000 CHECK from the Navarro County Electric Coop Operation Round Up program is River of Life Food Pantry representative Roger Wilson, left. Presenting the check is Round Up member Kelly Black of Fairfield. River of Life Community Food Pantry in Fairfield received a helping hand last week in a donation from the Operation Round Up program of Navarro County Electric Cooperative.

Operation Round Up board member Kelly Black presented a $2,000 check to food pantry director of operations Roger Wilson to assist in the organization’s work.

The pantry was opened in 2004 to provide food to any Freestone county resident in need.

Last year the organization distributed 75,053 pounds of food to individuals and families.

A breakdown shows that 926 families and 3,039 individuals received assistance.

The pantry operates two food programs, The Regulars and The Hope Program. The Regulars program is for individuals and families under the age of 60 who meet pantry requirements, and the Hope program is for senior citizens aged 60 and over.

The two programs provide enough food for approximately 4-7 days and participants can receive food once per month.

On average, the Hope program helps 250 senior citizens a month and the Regular program helps 75 families and 265 individuals each month.

Operation Round Up gathers and disburses funds to individuals and organizations for food shelter, health needs and clothing.

Funds are distributed in the Navarro Electric service area of Ellis, Freestone, Hill, Limestone and Navarro counties.

Disbursements are limited annually to $2,500 for an individual and $10,000 to an organization, but may be increased by a two-third vote by the board of directors.

The program is funded through voluntary contributions from co-op members, its electric customers.

Operation Round Up derives its name from a “rounding up” of monthly electric bills by customers, with the rounded up portion going to the program. For example, a monthly bill of $32.73 would be rounded up to $33, with the additional 27 cents going to the Round Up fund.

Navarro Electric sees the program as an extension of the concept of neighbor helping neighbor that built the electric cooperative.

In 2009, Operation Round Up distributed $41,875 to 13 charitable organizations.

The Operation Round Up board meets quarterly to consider applications for assistance.

Serving on the board are chairman Eddie Ross of Corsicana, Dr. Kent Rogers of Corsicana, Lynn Pike of Waxahachie, Gail Moran of Corsicana and Mrs. Black of Fairfield.